Submitted by: Elizabeth Wheatley, Executive Director

DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.-- Child abuse is not a pleasant thing to think about or discuss.  Children suffering physically and emotionally at the hands of an abuser cause emotions of our own to rise to the point of anger and disgust.  It is hard to imagine that a county filled with children who win awards in education and state championships in athletics is a county also filled with children who have lost their innocence because of abuse.

In 2022, DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center conducted 165 forensic interviews of children regarding reports of child abuse or physical abuse. While the number of interviews is astounding, DeKalb County is fortunate to have a team of professionals who come together to work these difficult cases.

DeKalb County team members include the District Attorney’s office, Department of Human Resources, Sheriff’s Office Investigators, Fort Payne City Police Investigators, Juvenile Probation, medical personnel, and the Children’s Advocacy Center.  Each of them have specific roles from investigation, disposition, prosecution, child safety, and therapy.

If you see a member of the team that works child abuse cases, thank them for their dedication and share a word of encouragement.