Apr 6

Apr 6 When the Village Fails: A community reckoning during child abuse prevention month

Opinion

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when communities across the nation wear blue ribbons and light candles in remembrance of the children we’ve lost too soon. But this year, our observance in Davidson County is not just ceremonial—it’s deeply personal and painfully raw.

Just weeks ago, an adult in our community was charged after an infant died from a fentanyl overdose.

Let that sink in.

An innocent life, not even old enough to walk or talk, was taken by a synthetic opioid so powerful that even trace amounts can be fatal. The investigation is ongoing, and the details are still emerging. But the undeniable truth remains: this child was failed by the very systems and people meant to protect them.

This isn’t just a tragedy. It’s a wake-up call.

At Davidson Local, we covered the story—and it quickly became one of the most-read articles on our site. That’s not surprising. Stories like these, painful as they are, tend to dominate headlines and draw the most attention. It’s a reality of journalism we don’t take lightly: negative stories lead because they stir emotion, demand answers, and reflect a shared grief.

But the question we must ask ourselves now is—what do we do with that attention?

{Midway Easter Parade} Courtesy of Lavish Salon and Spa

{Public Use} Fly A Kite Day Lexington Parks and Recreation

Do we let it fade into the next news cycle, or do we channel it into something more meaningful? Because behind every headline is a real child, a real family, and a real opportunity for our community to reflect and respond.

We often say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what happens when the village is overwhelmed, underfunded, or looks the other way?

{Contributed Photo} First Reformed UCC and Anything For Our Youth partner for blueberry planting at a community garden.

This weekend, that village showed signs of life. Across Davidson County, people gathered not just in grief—but in action. At the Anything For Our Youth Community Garden event, families planted seeds while nurturing the idea that safe spaces and healthy habits can grow in every neighborhood. Midway held a kid-friendly Easter Parade. Thomasville Public Library hosted an event for children and mental health awareness. Meanwhile, the Johnny Leroy Dawkins Community Solutions Annual Fish Fry and Basketball Tournament brought together young people, elders, mentors, and community leaders in a celebration of connection and care. These aren’t just feel-good gatherings—they are part of the solution.

This month, as we raise awareness for child abuse prevention, we must also confront the intersections of addiction, poverty, mental health, and systemic neglect. We must ask uncomfortable questions:

How are opioids still reaching our most vulnerable residents—our babies?
Are our child protection agencies adequately resourced and trained to detect and respond to signs of danger?
And how can we as neighbors, educators, clergy, and community members step up—not just in remembrance, but in responsibility?

Let this column serve not only as an obituary for a life lost too soon, but also as a call to action.

Here’s what we can do:

Attend local forums and training on child abuse prevention and substance abuse.
Support nonprofits that provide family counseling, addiction treatment, and foster care services.
Check in on families. Sometimes, a knock on the door or a warm meal is the beginning of hope.
And if you suspect a child is in danger, say something. Silence is not neutrality—it’s complicity.

This month, you may see blue pinwheels spinning in front yards and government buildings, meant to symbolize the happy, healthy childhoods all children deserve. Let’s not just admire them. Let’s earn them.

Let’s make sure that this baby’s death was not in vain. Let’s become the kind of village where every child is safe—and every adult is accountable.