One Child, One Chance
Joint Child Abuse Awareness Press Conference
December 19, 2007
Today, December 19, 2007, The Houston Fire Department (HFD), Houston Police Department (HPD), Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Children's Protective Services (CPS), Houston Independent School District (HISD) and The Houston Fire Fighters Burned and Crippled Children's Fund (Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341) encouraged citizens to recognize and respond to child abuse during a joint press conference at Fire Station 6.
“Although this time is a joyous time, it's not for the young victims of child abuse,” said Captain Beda Kent, HFD Public Affairs.
According to 2005 statistics, 5 percent of children in Texas may be facing abuse making Texas one of the worst states for child fatalities due to abuse. In Houston 21 percent of alleged cases of abuse were confirmed and Harris County had more than 40 deaths in 2005 due to abuse. Most of the victims are less than four years of age, with more than 40 percent being under 1 year old.
Most physical abuse of children occurs within the family and investigations are usually conducted jointly by police and CPS. According to CPS Harris County Child Protective Services spokesperson Estella Olguin , CPS depends on the community to let them know when they think a child is in danger or a family is in need of some assistance.
“Protecting children are everyone's business,” said Olguin.
The following Penal Code sections are some of the most frequently used by police to prosecute physical abuse of children.
Injury to a child
Abandoning or endangering a child
Leaving a child in a vehicle intentionally or knowingly when the child is younger than 7 years old and not attended by an individual in the vehicle who is 14 years of age or older.
Under Texas law, certain civil and criminal statutes exist to protect children from physical abuse and neglect. Penalty categories for violating criminal child abuse laws range as high as first degree felony, subject to punishments as severe as 99 years or life in prison.
Abuse needs to be reported immediately (within 48 hours) and there is even a Texas Government Code that says this. It is a Class B misdemeanor if a person has cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be affected by abuse or neglect and knowingly fails to report it.
In an effort to encourage citizens to be more aware of child abuse and report it, the HFD, TCH, CPS and The Houston Fire Fighters Burned and Crippled Children's Fund have produced a poster that will be displayed in all HISD schools, City of Houston buildings and Libraries. Assistant Chief Adrian Trevino, HFD Emergency Medical Services is helping to train Houston firefighters on how to spot abuse and report it.
“As the first responders to citizens in distress, we see abuse first-hand,” said Trevino. “This is a problem that has to stop.”
Anyone who feels they may harm a child can call 1-800-4-A-CHILD to speak with a trained counselor. To report suspected abuse, citizens may call 1-800-252-5400.
Today, December 19, 2007, The Houston Fire Department (HFD), Houston Police Department (HPD), Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Children's Protective Services (CPS), Houston Independent School District (HISD) and The Houston Fire Fighters Burned and Crippled Children's Fund (Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341) encouraged citizens to recognize and respond to child abuse during a joint press conference at Fire Station 6.