By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Every spring, like daffodils and crocuses, the bright blue pinwheels pop up along East Wooster Street in Bowling Green.
This year there are 867 of them – each one representing a child abuse or neglect case investigated in Wood County during 2024.
The pinwheels will remain in front of First United Methodist Church, 1528 E. Wooster St., for the rest of April, Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The spinning pinwheels are a reminder to the public that child abuse and neglect happen everywhere, said Sandi Carsey, protective services administrator at Wood County Job and Family Services.
The case numbers from last year are down from the previous year when there were 948, and down from the highest year ever in 2022 when there were 969 cases investigated.
“It ebbs and flows how many calls we get,” Carsey said, adding that some contributing factors remain the same.
“Drug issues and mental health issues are the things we see in parents that could be contributing to the abuse and neglect,” she said.
This is the first year that the banner behind the field of pinwheels cites another statistic of 86% of children, who were the focus of investigations, remaining with their families in 2024.
“I think it’s important that people understand we’re not out to take the kids out of their homes,” Carsey stressed. “We want the kids to be home and safe with their families.”
Occasionally, children have to be moved to residential care that takes them elsewhere in Ohio or even out of state.
“But we really don’t like to do that if we can help it,” she said.
Carsey urged people to report suspected child abuse or neglect to Wood County Children’s Services.
“It’s important to take that first step. I know it’s hard sometimes,” she said.
Concerns can be reported to a hotline at 419-354-9669.
“It’s important to call so we can assist the family. We need people to call in when they have a concern about a family – so we can get involved,” Carsey said.
