Henderson County proclaims April 2025 Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

County Judge Wade McKinney and the Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month during the court’s morning session.

The proclamation recognized the scope of child maltreatment statewide and locally and urged county residents and agencies to work together on prevention and support services. "Child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children, but also increases the likelihood of long term physical and mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, criminal behavior, and poverty," Miss Saunders read as part of the proclamation.

The nut graf: Commissioners, law‑enforcement task‑force members and several nonprofit and victim‑services staff told the court that coordinated local response has produced faster investigations and better outcomes for children, but speakers warned that cases remain steady and demand remains high.

Speakers representing victim services, child advocacy and the sheriff’s child‑abuse task force described local services and partnerships. Debbie Stanley was introduced as program director at Maggie's House Child Advocacy Center; Sheila Davis was identified as chief operations officer for CASA of Trinity Valley. Sheriff’s task force members Jerry Moore, Michael Massey and Timothy Tanner were present and received public recognition for their work investigating crimes against children.

Miss Saunders cited state and local numbers during the proclamation reading: "Whereas in fiscal year 2024, the state of Texas completed 223,176 investigations of child abuse or neglect. In Henderson County, the numbers are for 2024, 702 investigations from child protective services and investigations, 347 children served through CASAP of Trinity Valley. 413 children received services at Maggie's House, a child advocacy center." Those figures were read into the record as part of the proclamation text.

Judge McKinney and several commissioners thanked the victim‑services staff and volunteers, saying tighter cross‑agency coordination — from prosecution to medical and mental‑health partners — has improved outcomes. "We have better outcomes. We have quicker outcomes, which means our children receive the services earlier," a member of the sheriff’s task force said during remarks to the court.

Formal action: Commissioner Tooley moved to adopt the proclamation; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The court invited representatives from the nonprofits and the sheriff’s office forward for a photograph after the vote. The proclamation text urges Henderson County residents to support prevention programs and partnership efforts across schools, law enforcement, courts, faith groups and community organizations.

Ending: Court minutes show the proclamation and the unanimous vote recorded under the item designated for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.