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Carroll County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; sheriff’s team details 2025 caseload
Summary
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners adopted a proclamation naming April 2026 National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Detective Corporal Corey Vandergrift and State’s Attorney special‑victims chief Seth Giller described the county’s trauma‑informed Child Advocacy Center and gave 2025 case figures to illustrate demand for coordinated services.
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on April 2 adopted a proclamation declaring April 2026 National Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard a briefing from law‑enforcement and prosecution partners on the county’s child‑protection response.
Detective Corporal Corey Vandergrift of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office told the board the Child Advocacy Center is one of three in Maryland with a dedicated law‑enforcement unit and outlined 2025 activity: “434 victim contacts, 271 investigations, roughly 2,619 case hours, 69 search warrants, and 18 arrests,” he said. Of those investigations, Vandergrift said 13 were rape investigations, 76 were sex‑related offenses, 32 were physical‑abuse cases and 111 involved National Center for Missing and Exploited Children/child‑sex‑abuse‑material inquiries.
“Trauma‑informed investigations are crucial when dealing with child abuse,” Vandergrift said, describing the county’s effort to minimize retraumatization while preserving investigative integrity. “Every child deserves justice, but justice should not come at the cost of further harm,” he added.
Seth Giller, chief of the Special Victims Unit at the State’s Attorney’s Office, described the multi‑agency approach that follows a child from disclosure through case assessment, forensic interview and, when appropriate, prosecution. Giller said victims are connected immediately to services including trauma therapy and forensic nursing at Carroll Hospital Center.
The board’s proclamation, presented by Commissioner Gordon, says the county will “go blue for kids” during April, plant blue pinwheel gardens and encourage local agencies, schools and businesses to work with the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center to increase awareness and supports for victims and families.
Why it matters: Commissioners and presenters said the figures demonstrate both the prevalence of abuse and the need for continued funding and coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, health‑care partners and social services to support victims and reduce harm. The board urged residents who suspect abuse to contact Child Protective Services (24/7) and thanked the county’s multidisciplinary team for its work.
The meeting concluded with a photo opportunity for the advocates and an invitation for the public to email documented concerns to county staff for follow‑up.
