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Protect our kids

Fifty-one Alpena County kids were victims of abuse or neglect in 2018, the most recent year data is available from the Kids County Data Book, a statewide report on child well-being.

For many of those kids, it was a trusted source outside of their home — a teacher, a pastor, a coach — who recognized something was amiss and alerted authorities.

Now, with the world shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many children see no one outside of their home any day. That increases the chance abuse or neglect will go unnoticed and therefore unreported.

God bless our teachers and child welfare workers who are doing all they can, through phone calls and videoconferencing, to reach out, to stay in touch and support kids and their families.

But they can’t do it alone.

It’s up to the rest of us, as neighbors and friends, to protect our kids.

We may not see each other as often as we once did, but it’s up to each of us to pay close attention to the children in our lives.

If something seems amiss, don’t be afraid to call and report it.

It is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you suspect abuse or neglect, call 855-444-3911.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)

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