Memphis Child Advocacy Flag raising Ceremony, April 1, 2026

Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention

April of 2026

According to Kids Count 2023, there were 67,457 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in

the State of Tennessee. These counts do not include allegations. The U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services estimates the real child abuse rate is around three times higher

than proven cases.

Lauren Kissenger, with The Memphis Child Advocacy Center, informed me that nationally, 1

in 10 children will be sexually abused by the age of 18. She added that in Memphis, the

number doubles to 1 in 5 children. Yet this isn’t about numbers. It is about protecting

children before abusers ever have a chance.

On April 1st,

I attended the annual Children’s Memorial Flag Raising Ceremony, hosted by The

Memphis Child Advocacy Center, honoring 3-year-old Kevin Horton, 5-year-old Asharia

Walker, and 8-year-old, Ke ‘Darius Wardlow, along with all children lost to abuse or neglect.

Prevention of child abuse requires individual responsibility, as each member of the

community plays a significant role.

As Mayor Paul Young stated, protecting our children is not optional and we must remain

vigilant.

According to Memphis police reports, 3-year-old, Kevin Horton was pronounced dead on the

scene in November of 2025. They reported that Horton had severe internal injuries and burns.

Eventually, a caregiver, whose name is not worth voicing, admitted to repeatedly hitting,

burning, and stomping Kevin.

There are no public details of Asharia’s death, however, her inclusion in the ceremony means

that a parent or caregiver was charged with homicide. Ke’Darius, at 8 years old, was able to

learn multiplication, read chapter books, and distinguish right from wrong. Still, he was too

young to protect himself. None of this had to happen.

The Mission of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center is Helping Victims Become Children

Again. Here are some ways you can contribute.

I encourage you to contact Deputy Director Lydia Crivens to coordinate volunteer

opportunities. You can assist with the playroom, activity and hygiene packs, the gardens, and

decorating the center. Helpers can also organize teddy bears and supplies. You could even

help with sewing, photography, or data management.

Above all, I command every one of you to take the Stewards of Children child sexual‑abuse

prevention training. It costs nothing, it’s offered online, and it’s available twice a month. There

is absolutely no excuse for non-enrollment. I say from experience, I wish I had known then

what I know now. Do not hesitate to contact Lauren Kissinger who handles the registration.

Right now, our city has two choices. First, we can continue turning our backs against our own

offspring and have a future of suffering and tragedy. Second, we can equip every adult, make

every parent aware and raise our children with love and allegiance, brightening our future.

Tennessee is a universally mandated reporter, meaning every adult is morally and legally

responsible to disclose suspicions of child abuse by calling 877.237.0004. Visit

memphiscac.org to gain more knowledge. If there is immediate danger call 911.

Ghandi is the one who said, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its

most vulnerable members.” Memphis, it is time for us to measure up.

WORKS CITED

Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kids Count Data Center: Tennessee Child Abuse and Neglect Indicators.

2023, https://datacenter.kidscount.org.

Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Home. Memphis CAC, 2026, https://www.memphiscac.org.

Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. “Report Child Abuse.” tn.gov,

https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/child-safety/report-child-abuse.html.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Child Maltreatment 2022. Administration for Children

and Families, Children’s Bureau, 2024, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2022