Child Abuse Remains Constant Battle, 1K Cases Annually
April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a reminder that every adult in Tennessee is legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Tracy Plant Bucholz said the state mandate applies to all citizens regardless of their profession. The organization provides forensic interviews, medical […]
Butler’s Pilot Program Bill Aims To Streamline Foster Care
Representative Ed Butler sponsoring a new Foster Care Pilot Program Bill that would use private entities to streamline the state’s foster care process. Butler said the plan includes a five-year period of private agencies taking in 450 kids per year from the Department of Children’s Services. He said these agencies would assume all decision-making rights […]
Dodson Branch Assistant Principal, Teacher Face Charges Following Paddling
A Dodson Branch Elementary Assistant Principal and a Teacher face assault charges following a paddling incident. A male student was paddled twice at the school by his teacher, Jackson Patterson, while the assistant principal, Tena Lynn, was present. The paddling took place in early October. The student complained of pain in his buttocks and was […]
Putnam County Library Provides Hygiene Kits To Low Income Community
Putnam County Library hygiene kits provide items that low income individuals can’t afford. Marketing and Outreach Librarian Lexxi Romero said she had set a goal for this year to provide assistance to the low income and un-housed communities. Romero did her research and consulted with community nonprofits. “And it took me a few months to […]
Child Abuse Chances Rise During Pandemic
Governor Bill Lee said Wednesday he remains concerned about growing numbers of unreported child abuse cases across the state because of COVID-19. Dawn Raines, Executive Director of the Stephens Center in Livingston, said the added stress from the pandemic can lead to increased abuse. “There’s so many additional stressors right now,” Raines said. “For one, […]
