COLDWATER, MI 9WTVB) – The fourth annual Healing Hill of Hope Healing Field ceremony, which honors children from Branch County who have suffered from abuse and or neglect, was hosted Thursday by the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club at the Naomi Davis Shelter House on North Michigan Avenue.
Organizers say child abuse statistics for Branch County reflect what’s going on nationally and that Branch County has twice the state average of cases.
Last year, there were 173 substantiated cases of child abuse in Branch County. A total of 103 children were moved from their home into foster care with 59 of the children removed permanently.
Each American Flag on the hill represents a Branch County child abuse case.
Lt. Dave Wood, who is the Assistant Post Commander of the State Police Post in Marshall, was the keynote speaker. He said it’s a problem that is not going away.
The flags put in place Thursday will remain on display through the end of July.
The Healing Hill project supports local child abuse prevention programs as does the Exchange Club’s annual Independence Day 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run.
