Stephens County Commissioners name April as Child Abuse Awareness Month
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
At their last meeting, the Stephens County Commissioners declared April 2021 as Child Abuse Awareness Month locally.
Sharon Wimberley, chair of the Stephens County Child Welfare Board, addressed the court and asked them to declare this month as Child Abuse Awareness Month and to allow the board to install a temporary display on the courthouse lawn honoring the 235 children who died due to neglect or abuse in 2019 and 2020 in Region 2 of the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards.
“These children died from abuse and neglect at the hands of their parents and guardians. Most of the children are under the age of 3 years old,” she told the court.
Stephens County Judge Michael Roach thanked Wimberley and other members of the local Child Welfare Board for attending the meeting and for their work on the board.
“Sharon, you know, you and I have worked together for several years now. And I was the Justice of the Peace for four years prior to being County Judge. And one of the saddest things that I had to endure while being the Justice of Peace was a couple of calls, of children who had been deceased, and then the numerous felony complaints against people who abused their children,” Roach said. “And people want to sometimes not think it’s a reality and Stephens County, but it absolutely is. It happens right here in our own backyard. And it’s disheartening, and it’s gut wrenching. And the the beacon of hope and the silver lining here is what you do and the board does.”
The commissioners approved April 2021 as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Stephens County. Roach said he was waiting on Gov. Greg Abbott to sign a statewide resolution before he signed a local resolution.
Members of the Stephens County Child Welfare Board will be decorating the courthouse lawn on Tuesday morning, April 6, in honor of area children who have died due to abuse.
Additionally, the Child Welfare Board will be working with local churches, asking them to participate in Blue Sunday on April 25, praying for children who are abused and for those who rescue them.
Cutline, top photo: Sharon Wimberley, chair of the Stephens County Child Welfare Board, addresses the Stephens County Commissioners Court on March 22, asking the commissioners to designate April 2021 as Child Abuse Awareness Month. Other members of the board attended the meeting with Wimberley. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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