Child Abuse Prevention

Recognizing the negative impact child abuse and neglect have on the community, Putnam County commissioners (from left) David Berry, Rick Woodall and Don Walton sign a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Putnam County. Members of the Putnam County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force were in attendance at the April 1 commissioners meeting, noting that 1,100 cases of neglect or abuse were investigated in 2018, while 430 children were witness to violent acts or domestic violence in their homes. “It’s tragically something that happens every day,” Putnam County Youth Development Commission Executive Director Linda Merkel said. In addition to signing the proclamation, the commissioners also granted permission to place pinwheels on the courthouse lawn in honor of child absue victims and to install blue lights in the outdoor fixtures around the courthouse. Representing the various interested groups are (standing from left) Linda Merkel, Putnam County Youth Development Comission; Karen Martoglio, Mental Health America of Putnam County; Rebecca Roy, Cummins Behavioral Health; Valerie Garrison, Missy Duncan, Lisa Kleiber, Shawna Wilkenson and Sherri Neild of Healthy Families; and Scott Monnett, Family Support Services of West Central Indiana.