RCCS investigates 235 child abuse cases in July

August 4, 2010

Richland County Children Services investigated 235 alleged cases of child abuse and/or neglect during July, the 17th time in the last 19 months the agency has had to initiate 200-plus cases.

RCCS launched 1,621 investigations in the first seven months of 2010, averaging 231.5 cases per month and on pace for 2,778 by the end of the year. That would elipse the agency record of 2,748 set just last year.

"Our social workers remain very busy," said agency communications supervisor Carl Hunnell. "We averaged almost eight intakes per day during July, including weekends. That is in addition to the 600-plus families our ongoing team works with on a daily basis, including more than 1,300 local children."

The 235 new investigations is fewer than the agency began during July 2009 when 254 new cases were initiated. RCCS received 592 calls during July, down almost 100 from last year when the agency received 681 calls. It's the first time in three years the agency finished with fewer than 600 phone calls in July.

Neglect was the leading suspicion that led to investigations in July 2010, accounting for 41 percent of the intake total. Physical abuse (2 percent) was second and emotional maltreatment (2 percent) was third on the list.

 

 

 

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