Recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and members of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and representatives from the Durant Children's Center joined Sheriff Anthony Dennis on Thursday afternoon, April 4, to stress the importance of preventing child abuse. Melanie Zimmerman, a Family Advocate for the Third Circuit Satellite CAC, and Amber Hess, a forensic interviewer who serves at the Durant Children's Center, gathered with the sheriff, deputies, victim advocates and staff in a show of solidarity in their efforts to prevent child abuse. With pinwheels as a symbol of childhood, everyone gathered and planted the pinwheels around the flagpole of the Sheriff's Office. "We are all deeply affected when someone harms the weak and defenseless," Sheriff Dennis said. "Please reach out to us if you suspect a child may be suffering abuse. Our deputies, victim advocates, staff and I will do everything within our power to protect children and prevent child abuse." The Durant Children's Center, 411 N. Salem Ave. in Sumter, is hosting a free community fair on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to recognize and spread awareness of child abuse. Contact the Durant Children's Center at (803) 757-1570 or visit www.durantchildrencenter.org for more information. If you have information to share regarding child abuse or suspected child abuse, please call the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at (803) 436-2000, visit www.p3tips.com or download and use the "P3" app. In an emergency, always call 911.