In a sobering report presented to Cabarrus County Commissioners earlier this month, the grim realities faced by local youth in the face of abuse and fatality were laid bare. Paula Yost, chair of the Cabarrus County Child Protection and Fatality Team (CPFT), alongside District Attorney Ashlie Shanley brought forward the "2024 State of Our Children" report during a work session held on April 7. This annual report shines a light on the previous year's child deaths, abuse cases, and growing concerns in areas like online safety and mental health.
An exhaustive 3,516 child abuse investigations were undertaken by the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services in 2024, with 1,462 reports accepted for abuse and neglect, as detailed in the report by the CPFT. Instances labeled "investigative," which denote severe forms of abuse including human trafficking, hit a worrying count of 466. Yost also noted the fatalities data from 2023, reporting a total of 27 child deaths, a poignant reminder of the work yet to be done.
Heightening community concern, Shanley highlighted the lowering age of victims in sexual abuse cases. "As a veteran prosecutor, this is what’s scary to me," Shanley told commissioners, "The ages of our victims are getting younger and younger." She detailed that in 2024, 89 victims were under six years old, 103 were between seven and twelve, and 68 were between 13 and 18. A striking statistic emerges when considering that out of 175 offenders assessed in 2024, 67 had met their victim online, as per Cabarrus County's release.
With popular social media apps and games like Snapchat, Fortnite, and Instagram serving as common platforms for predatory behavior, the report urges heightened vigilance. Shanley's grave message to the community was unambiguous, "These crimes are 100% preventable because when we’re giving our kids a phone, we’re also giving an offender access to them," according to a statement obtained by Cabarrus County publication.
Furthering this emphasis on protection and prevention, Amy Jewell, the Cabarrus County Schools Student and Family Support Director, presented data on the 335 suicide assessments conducted by school mental health professionals in 2024. Of these, 51 required immediate medical attention, indicating a critical need for accessible mental health services for children and teens.
The month of April, recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month, seeks to turn the spotlight on these pressing issues, culminating in a Pinwheel Ceremony at the Cabarrus County Courthouse Plaza to honor those impacted and to galvanize the community towards ending child abuse. The ceremony, scheduled for next Wednesday, features local agency representatives and community leaders planting pinwheels, a universal emblem of child abuse prevention.
In the same session, critical updates on community welfare were discussed, including Emergency Management Director Jason Burnett's briefing on a $3,000 North Carolina Tier II Grant awarded to bolster hazardous materials emergency preparedness. Additionally, updates on the Cabarrus-Stanly-Union Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan underscored the county's proactive stance on natural disaster resilience and community protection.
If you suspect or witness child abuse or domestic violence, it is urged to call 911, or to reach out to the Department of Social Services at 704-920-1400 with concerns, where you can report anonymously and request follow-ups on case status.
