Pinwheels for Prevention event raises awareness of child abuse, neglect

The 21st annual Pinwheels for Prevention event was held Friday, March 27, at the Tuscarawas County Courthouse in New Philadelphia. About 40 volunteers were on hand to place the silver and blue pinwheels on the courthouse steps. The annual event is held to make the community aware of children who are or were being abused or neglected. Each of the pinwheels represents a child involved in an investigation.

April is designated as National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and is intended to create public awareness of children who have been abused or neglected in this area.

“The pinwheels represent children that are abused or neglected. This does happen in Tuscarawas County. If you see or hear or even have a feeling a child is being abused or neglected call Job and Family Services,” said Mandy Willett, executive director of Noah’s Hope Child Advocacy Center.

Nicole John, supervisor of Child Protective Services at Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services in New Philadelphia, provided statistics showing that in 2025 there were 321 child abuse and neglect investigations involving 669 children, and 40 children were placed into foster care. Noah’s Hope Child Advocacy Center served 232 children by completing forensic interviews, victim advocacy and referrals to specialized medical and mental health services. TCJFS, Noah’s Hope Child Advocacy Center, law enforcement, as well as Alexa the facility dog, all collaborate to better combat and prevent child abuse in Tuscarawas County.

The county will display pinwheels during April to represent the 1,781 calls to Job and Family Services regarding child abuse and neglect in the county. Pinwheels for Prevention focuses on the importance of talking about what each individual can do to make sure children in the community grow up safe, John said.

Tuscarawas County residents are asked to participate in Ohio Wears Blue April 8 to show support for children who are or have been abused or neglected.

A proclamation will be read by the county commissioners with the following information provided by Job and Family Services.

In 2025, the total calls received regarding abuse, neglect or dependency were 1,781, an increase of 24.7% from 2024.

The total investigations were 321, down 9% from 2024. This number does not include families in need of services or dependency cases.

The total number of adults involved in investigations was 648, down 5% from 2024.

The total number of children involved in investigations was 669, down 13% from 2024.

Children placed in foster care totaled 40, down 5.2% from 2024. This number reflects the total number of new foster placements, not the total number of children already in foster care.

Family violence — domestic violence, intimate partner violence and physical abuse — made up 33% of the total cases in 2025. This is a slight increase from 2024.