Number of Child Deaths Up This Year
April 4, 2006
 April
is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Family Resource Center (FRC)
Programs Family to Family Connection (F2F) Programs
Child Abuse Prevention Help
The number of child abuse deaths is
up in the valley so far this year. Growing concern over the issue is
leading officials to take action.
Clark County commissioners
proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, as a way to raise
awareness. So far this year, Clark County has reported six child
abuse deaths. Las Vegas Metro Police have responded to five and
nearby Henderson has had one.
Right now, members of the community
are hoping a greater awareness this month will stop the death toll
from rising.
High profile child abuse deaths
such as the death of three-year-old Crystal Figueroa have put the
issue in the spotlight. The image of the toddler in the dumpster hit
a nerve with the community.
County commissioners proclaimed
April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in an effort to get the
community involved in saving young lives. Debbie Barter, the Child
Abuse Prevention program manager with the Area Health Education
Center of Southern Nevada was on hand to receive the proclamation.
"Unfortunately, we've already seen
the equal number of child deaths in all of last year in the first
two months," said Barter. "That's very alarming and we want to teach
the public how to prevent it from happening to children they love or
any children in the community,"
Child abuse prevention advocates
agree that parenting is a tough job and sometimes you will need
help, but often parent's don't know who or where to turn. However,
if one needs help, there are a number of programs in Clark County to
help parents deal with the stress that may lead to child abuse.
Email reporter Martha Guzman at
mguzman@klastv.com
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