2010 -- Halfway to a new record for investigations

July 2, 2010

The year 2010 may be another record-setting year for Richland County Children Services.

The agency launched 239 new investigations into alleged child abuse and neglect during June, a 16 percent increase over June 2009.

Halfway through the year, the agency has initiated 1,386 investigations, on pace for 2,772 for the year. If that pace holds, it would be a second consecutive record-setting year for Children Services, topping the old record of 2,748 set in 2009.

"We had 615 calls during the month, as well," said Carl Hunnell, the agency's communications supervisor. "Clearly, the need for the services provided by Children Services continues to run very high in our community."

The agency has topped 200-plus new investigations in 16 of the last 18 months and has received 600--plus calls from the public in 10 of the last 18 months.

"It's been another remarkably busy year," Hunnell said. "It's worth noting that agency began 200-plus new investigations nine times during the six-year period of 2003 throuigh 2008. And we have done it 16 times in the last year and a half."

In addition to the investigations pace, the agency continues to work with more than 600 area families on an ongoing basis, providing services and assistance to more than 1,300 local children on a daily basis.

"Heading into this Independence Day Holiday weekend, we know many families will be gathering together and these parties may include alcohol, swimming pools, lakes, ponds and fireworks. We urge parents to act responsibly on behalf of their children and to make sure they are safe," Hunnell said.

The agency's 24-hour hotline remains open throughout the weekend at 419-774-4100.

"If someone sees a child abused or neglected, or if a family needs help, we urge them to call our hotline any time of the day or night. You will speak with a person, not an answering machine, and we will respond to the situation with a trained social worker willing and able to provide the assistance required," Hunnell said.

 

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