ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - One phone call can save a child's life if you take the responsibility to make that call.
Dozens of people coming out to support Allen County Children Services as they begin a month of activities to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect. Officials say that we all have a responsibility to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child by making that phone call. Allen County received more than 830 reports of abuse and neglect that were screened and investigated in 2023. Officials say that you can help lower those numbers and protect a child by coming forward and making a report.
"If you do suspect abuse and neglect, make that report to our agency. You can make that phone call. You can speak with one of our screeners that will take that report. They will then forward that report on to a supervisor, that will ensure whether that report meets criteria for us to access and open up an investigation. If that investigation is opened, it will be assigned to an intake caseworker, and that intake caseworker will initiate that investigation within 24 hours," explained Sarah Newland, executive director of Allen County Children Services.
If you feel that a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Allen County Children Services is asking you to wear blue on Wednesday, April 10, and take a picture. Then send it to Allen County Children Services at greg.sowinski@jfs.ohio.gov to be posted on their Facebook page. The annual "Community for Kids" breakfast, thanking those who work to make Lima and Allen County a better place for children, is on April 11th.
