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Richland County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month as agency cites rise in drug-positive child cases
Summary
Richland County Commissioners on March 31 proclaimed April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month. Richland County Children Services reported rising physical-abuse cases and that 40% of 623 drug screens in 2025 were positive, linking some increases to local drug use.
The Richland County Board of Commissioners on March 31 read and presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard agency leaders describe an uptick in drug-positive tests among children.
"This year, we investigated 1,455 child victims," said Tara Lattzenheiser, executive director of Richland County Children Services, adding that the agency counted 975 cases in 2025. Lattzenheiser told the board that neglect historically has been the largest category of investigation but that physical abuse rose sharply in 2024 and…
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