BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Recent reports from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reveal that Kentucky currently ranks 60% higher than the national average for child maltreatment, with the leading cause being neglect.

“We showed about 328 filings of dependency neglect and abuse petitions in 2023, so that’s those are those are all neglect or abuse, and in the eyes of the law, neglect, and abuse are considered the same,” said Family Court Judge for Warren County Circuit Court Catherine Holderfield, referencing statistics from cases in Warren County.

Holderfield also mentioned that about 150 hearings a month dealt with neglect and dependency in Warren County, stemming from many issues.

“We’re also seeing the parents having such issues that they can’t function well to get the children their basic needs, such as the food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and adequate supervision and education that they need,” she said. “A lot of that seriously affects the child, whether it’s the parents or themselves.”

A significant percentage of the issues were about a specific issue: substance abuse in households.

“[Children] are having to be placed because of substance abuse in the home which has translated into maybe lack of supervision. You know, it could be not providing adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or education. But the root was substance abuse,” Holderfield said.

With the number of instances of neglect in Warren County and the state’s maltreatment as a whole, steps must be taken to protect youth in the surrounding area from becoming vulnerable.

Executive Director at the Family Enrichment Center Nickie Jones says that mending the issue starts with breaking a stigma.

“The reality of it is our services are for everyone and we want people to feel as if they aren’t stigmatized, that there is no shame in asking for help,” Jones said. “Everyone needs help and everyone in our community can do something to help support families and children. Child abuse is 100% preventable.”

The Family Enrichment Center is a local resource that provides an array of services to families struggling financially.

“We not only provide affordable childcare, we do free drop-in care. So, if a family member needs to go and have a mental health assessment or do therapy, go to the doctor, we do free drop-in care,” Jones said. “We’re the only one in Warren County that does that.”

Other resources offered to families by the Family Enrichment Center can be found on their website, or by calling (270) 781 – 6714.

More local resources that can aid children or families facing struggles include Potter’s Children’s Home, Life Skills Inc., and Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center.

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