Clay Co. Child Abuse Rates Increase In State Report Due To More People Reporting

Increased reporting likely led to Clay County’s highest in the state ranking of child abuse rates.

That’s according to Sheriff Brandon Boone. The data is based on the 2023 Child Well-Being Report released Tuesday by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

“I think about 10 years ago now we had a pretty severe child abuse case here in the county and I think it really opened some eyes, especially in the school system,” Boone said. “When they realized the severity of the abuse going on in the house.”

Boone said that case and ongoing education efforts have increased awareness about what to look for when it comes to suspected child abuse cases. He said the more people are educated, the better the sheriff’s department can help protect the children of Clay County.

Boone said the county has also seen an increased number of cases involving the Department of Children Services. He said he attributes that to drug use in the county, which adds to issues in the home both for parents and children.

“I think there’s just a lot more people paying attention to kids and the way they’re living and the way they’re reporting it,” Boone said. “Far more than they used to.”

Boone said now that this new data has been brought to his attention, he hopes to set up meetings with stakeholders about what more can be done to address this issue. He said he knows there are plenty of resources out there that they use to aid their mission.