When in doubt, report child abuse - let CPS decide

Yesterday local officials gathered at the crosses driven into the Jasper courthouse lawn in commemoration of Child Abuse Prevention month in April. The crosses stand for the 227 children who died from neglect or abuse in Texas last year, but it is a national remembrance.

Many of those attending the ceremony yesterday wore blue ribbons. A grandmother in Virginia, Bonnie Finney, started that campaign when her grandson died of injuries inflicted by his parents.

"The blue ribbon serves as a reminder to fight for protection of our children. Please wear a blue ribbon, put one on your car, give one to your friends. Tell them what it means and you may save a child's life," Finney said.

A brochure from Child Protective Services says, "Prevention efforts help parents develop their parenting skills, understand the benefits of nonviolent discipline and understand and meet their child's emotional, physical, and development needs."

It goes on to define prevention as "stopping child abuse and neglect before it happens."

To that end, they recommend you report suspected abuse to the Texas Abuse Hotline, 1-800-252- 5400, which is answered 24/7.

"Reporters are not expected to prove the abuse or neglect... be specific. Tell exactly what happened and when. Be sure to report all injuries on incidents you observed, including dates and time of day... If you have reasons to suspect child abuse, but are not positive, make the report and let Child Protective Services make that decision."