CULLMAN, Ala. – Members of the community gathered at Heritage Park at noon on Wednesday to honor the 35 children whose lives were lost due to some form child abuse this past year with a Day of Hope Remembrance Ceremony.
Cullman Caring for Kids hosts a blue ribbon child abuse prevention event year where they release blue balloons to signify each child who has passed in regard to neglect, abuse or something similar.
Director Steven Sutter shared with those gathered some statistics of those involved in child abuse.
“Only 10 percent of child abuse cases are reported,” Steven said. “There were over 600 cases in 2021 in the Cullman area so you can imagine how many incidents went without being reported.”
Former Director Javon Daniel was also present at the event and said this is the most children they’ve had to honor since 2014 when there were 32 children who were reported locally that had died from some form of child abuse.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry also spoke to those present at the event and sang praise for what Cullman Caring for Kids does for the community.
“Children are our most valuable resource, there isn’t anything more important than our children,” Gentry said. “We have a responsibility as leaders to protect our children and help them become the leaders of the future. Cullman Caring for Kids has always been an advocate for protecting our children and it was an honor to speak at their Day of Hope for child abuse awareness.”
For more information, please visit: https://www.cullmancaringforkids.com.
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