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Reacting to Recent Dangerous Events Involving Children

By Rachel Ousley

Story Created: May 12, 2011 at 6:39 PM MDT

Story Updated: May 12, 2011 at 6:39 PM MDT

Nationally a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. Almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under four-years-old.

Eight children were removed from an apartment described as filthy yesterday. Twenty-seven-year-old Evie Marie McCard was their caretaker. She made her initial appearance in court this afternoon. She is charged with one count of felony criminal endangerment and seven counts of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Police say they found McCard's nine-year-old daughter heavily sedated on a couch. She was sent to the hospital and was treated for a case of pinkeye. McCard's 4 month old niece was taken to the hospital as well, police say, because she didn't have medication to help with breathing problems. Cascade County Attorney, John Parker says, “we don't believe she is a general threat to the public at large. We believe she is a specific threat to the children in her care until she develops adequate parenting skills to care for those kids”.

The state requested a $1,000 bond, along with the condition that McCard not care for any minors until further notice from the court. The next step is for the court to appoint special advocates, from CASA-CAN, a volunteer agency representing children within the court system. There are currently 60 active volunteers plus six more will graduate to volunteer status at the end of May. Volunteers last year devoted 6,000 hours to children in the court system. Currently 150 children in Cascade County are represented by CASA-CAN.

Cases like this one, involving a large number of children, put an extra strain on an already busy system. Linda Mettam is a volunteer with CASA-CAN and also serves on the board of directors. She says once the court deems a child a youth in need of care, a Guardian ad Litem must be assigned to each child and if multiple families are involved it will likely take more than one volunteer.

CASA-CAN and family services join forces to do what is necessary in each child's best interest. Mettam says, “we work really closely with Child and Family Services and have the same goal which is to provide each child with a safe place to be”.

Not only is the goal a safe permanent home, but also to get these kids into a positive environment as soon as possible. If there is ever a time to be safe rather than sorry, it is with child abuse cases. If you have any reason to suspect child abuse or neglect call the child abuse and neglect hotline toll free at 1-866-820-5437. Let the professionals determine what abuse is.

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Anonymous said on Friday, May 13 at 3:15 PM

very good story, very important to watch your children as well as others. it does not take much to become a parent - but it takes a lot to be a parent

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