Child abuse/neglect statistics show 173 dead in 2023

By Chris Edwards
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During Monday morning’s regular meeting of the Tyler County Commissioners Court, County Judge Milton Powers read some sad, sobering and stark statistics.

In Tyler County, last year, there were 267 reports of child abuse and/or neglect, and of those reports made, 41 cases were confirmed and of those cases, the result was 13 children were removed from their homes.

Powers read aloud a proclamation to recognize, countywide, the month of April as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month,” and in the text of the proclamation, he read off statewide statistics on the sad topic.

In 2023, there were, total, 310,582 reports of child abuse and/or neglect, of which 58,120 were confirmed. There were 173 deaths from child abuse, which Terry Allen, the county’s Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, called “ridiculous.”

Allen said “we live in the great state of Texas and kids are dying. If you see something, say something.” She urged anyone present to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect, and on Monday morning, the Commissioners Courtroom was full of young people, who were present to take part in Local Government Day.

Powers said the issue is a “community problem that affects the current and future quality of life of a community,” and “a community responsibility,” which necessitates finding solutions depending on the involvement of everyone in the community.

According to data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the number of deaths from child abuse/neglect was down last year from the year prior. In 2022, 182 children died due to abuse and neglect, statewide.

Additionally, in 163 of those cases, there was no Child Protective Investigation or ongoing services at the time, so no regular monitoring of the situation that could have protected the child.

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Harris recognized for efforts

In Monday’s meeting, Judge Powers recognized Kathy Harris, of the county’s Juvenile Probation office, for 26 years of service to the county. Powers called her “a very vital part” of her department, and highlighted not only her work achievements, but some of the avenues of community service in which she has been active, including chairing the Salvation Army efforts in the county.

Harris also chairs the Adopt-an-Angel efforts, which provide Christmas gifts to foster children, and she has been vital in the fundraising efforts toward those programs, which have included the popular tea and purse auction events in November.

Snow River Masonic Lodge recognized

Snow River Masonic Lodge #388, of Spurger, is celebrating its 150th year. Powers read a proclamation recognizing the lodge’s anniversary, and the proclamation urged citizens to recognize the masons of that lodge for their service to their community, and to Tyler County, in general.

Other Business

• The commissioners approved the resignation of Ken Jobe from the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District Board.

• A permit was approved for the usage of county right-of-ways for the construction of underground utility lines by Entergy Texas.

• During the public comments portion of the meeting, Sondra Williams, on behalf of the Woodville Lions Club, came before the court, and said she wished to express “extreme gratitude” toward the county for the use of the rodeo arena for the annual Lions Club Western Weekend Rodeo, which drew a large turnout, she said.