I have worked with family situations over 20 years as a prosecutor.  I have worked for a Commonwealth Attorney and 3 County Attorney’s in their offices…predominately I handle issues involving children.  Child Support; Domestic Violence; Delinquency; Status Offenses; Dependency; Neglect and Abuse.

Through the years I have seen the Court needing only a few hours once a week to handle all these issues to now taking 2 full days a week including time for emergency hearings on non-court days.  That is a 4 to 5 times increase in the amount of time in Marshall County alone…this does not include Divorce Court where many children issues are heard.  In the 23 years I have practiced in Marshall County, there has been an expansion to a whole addition of the Circuit Court devoted to family issues hence: FAMILY COURT.

·        The World is Broken

              We are a people beset by problems in our own communities.

DRUGS/ALCOHOL/ADDICTION

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/ANGER

ABUSE/DSYFUNCTION

INSTABILITY/MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

DISEASE/DISABILITY     

UNEMPLOYMENT/POVERTY/LACK

              All these issues affect children. 

             Many people, most people, in our communities have no idea the problems that exist, next door, down the street, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our hometowns.  Many people know some, know a little, and have some ideas.  But you, each of you, know.  It has in some way touched or    affected you deeply.  How do I know this…because you ACTED.     You have done something, you have not been idle.

 ·       Real Issues, Real Families, Children

              Mother – health issues caused by physical impairment, 3 small children, one with special needs, life has overwhelmed her.

              Father—came out of the system as an abused child filled with suppressed anger, had no ability to parent, no role model, and has lost control

              Child—was removed from her home for domestic violence involving her parents.  Is now pregnant with her second child, an unwed teenage mother, unable to overcome.

             Mother—sexually abused as a child and has been involved with two different men, both who have sexually abused her daughter, she is unable to protect.

              Father and Mother—addicted to Meth, in long term rehab trying to put it back together, then a relapse, desperate to climb  out of this cycle and be parents, but trapped in the pit of drugs

              Single mother—depressed, can’t get out of bed, no energy, her kids don’t make it to school many days and the house is filthy, she can’t see a way out.

              Infant—too young to talk, too young to know why, brought to the ER with fractured ribs in various stages of healing… the parents can’t tell us how or why.

              Parents—overwhelmed with a child’s dysfunction and behavior issues. They have no insurance and no ability to meet the needs of the child.

EACH OF YOU could stand here and tell story after story—real life experiences—real families—children in our communities who are at risk of harm physically, mentally, educationally, or emotionally.

·       The Needs Are Great But the Workers Are Few

              Thank you workers and volunteers of CASA

You have given your TIME, EFFORT, INTELLECT, AND HEARTS

Unpaid, many times Unappreciated, Unsung heroes, Unrecognized

Well today I say……..You are seen

You are appreciated

You are acknowledged

Your are respected

You are recognized

You are thanked

On behalf of the courts, prosecutors, attorneys, families and children of Marshall and Calloway County I THANK YOU.

You are valued and You will received a Reward, this I believe with all my heart.