Local detective Peters honored by Ohio Attorney General

Law-enforcement officers are critical in protecting abused children. Beyond the traditional duties of maintaining public safety and enforcing laws, these professionals serve as advocates for children who face abuse.

Child abuse can take many forms, each with its own signs and indicators that law-enforcement officers are trained to recognize. The most common types include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.

“Too many people think (child abuse) is not happening in their community,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said recently during the 31st annual Child Abuse Prevention Month community event that took place at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster. “Trust me it is. There are staggering statistics about child abuse in the United States. One-in-4 girls and 1-in-13 boys are estimated to experience child sexual abuse, according to the CDC. More than half a million children were victims of abuse or neglect in the United States in 2022. That is eight kids out of every 1,000.”

Yost outlined the sensitive nature of investigations involving child abuse and neglect.

“When anyone does find evidence of child abuse, oftentimes the first call goes to our men and women in uniform,” Yost said. “They have to be well-trained so they know what to look for, how to conduct a sensitive interview, and they have to work with the experts in child welfare to begin, conduct and complete very difficult investigations.”

Out of five nominees, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Detective Eric Peters was chosen as the 2024 Child Abuse and Prevention Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Other nominees included agent Adam Bupp of the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, officer Dustin Burnett of the Wooster Police Department, detective Ryan Mace of the Orrville Police Department and detective Kirk Shelly of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Yost said Peters is renowned for his exceptional ability to interview children and adults, “Consistently earning trust in challenging and often high-stress situations. His profound patience, combined with an innate understanding of human emotions, enables him to navigate delicate conversations with ease. His down-to-earth, sincere approach fosters quick rapport, making it possible for the individuals to open up and share honest, often deeply personal information.”

The case that led to Peters’ nomination involved a toddler who had been living in a van and tested positive for methamphetamine.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.