Candlelight vigil set for April 3

It’s time for a reality check Van Zandt County. We have a problem on our hands and it is going to take an all hands-on deck approach if we are going to reverse the alarming statistics of children who are abused and neglected in our county.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and everyone in Van Zandt County is encouraged to attend the Candlelight Vigil at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 3 on the north steps of the Van Zandt County Courthouse.

The annual vigil is a way of honoring the lives of 222 Texas Children who died from abuse and neglect in 2016. The vigil is also a time to gather, pray for our children and their families. It’s also a great opportunity to meet family resource leaders and learn more about how you can get involved.

How serious is the problem in Van Zandt County? According to 2016 data from Family Protective Services and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates,) out of the 254 counties in Texas, Van Zandt County ranks in the top 15 percent in terms of children who have been removed from their home due to child abuse and neglect. None of us want this number tied to our county and we certainly can’t stand by while thousands of children are living in an environment where abuse and neglect are taking place.

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