Monitor Photo/Jody Vincik
Henderson County Commissioners Court adopts proclamation making April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the county. Pictured are Pct. 4 Commissioner Mark Richardson (back row, from left), Pct. 3 Commissioner Chuck McHam, County Judge Wade McKinney, Pct. 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley, Pct. 1 Commissioner Wendy Spivey, Leslie Saunders (middle row, from left), Keith Loper, Ginger Ford, Casie Darter, Rebekah Large, Crystal Tackett, Susan Randall, Debbie Stanley, Amanda Sharp, District Attorney Jenny Palmer. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, County Attorney Clint Davis, Gracie Hall (front row, from left), Wendy Pacheco, Kim Williams

HENDERSON COUNTY–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted April 4 to proclaim April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
Henderson County HELP Center CEO Leslie Saunders said in fiscal year 2022, the State of Texas completed 166,187 investigations of child abuse and neglect. Of those investigations, she continued, 59,994 were confirmed victims. Texas reported that 182 children died as a result of abuse or neglect, she added.
“Henderson County numbers are alarming,” Saunders stated. Confirmed victims by Child Protective Services and investigations totaled 1,137, said Saunders. Eighty-nine children were removed from their homes and four children died as a result of abuse or neglect, Saunders shared.
“It’s sad that we have to have this day to bring awareness, and it brings a special person to do the things that you ladies do,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley said. “It’s great that we have this kind of resource in our county for our kids.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Mark Richardson remarked that those who help children have a job they “have to deal with 24/7; it’s not just an 8-5 job.”
County Judge Wade McKinney said confirmed victims of child abuse average about three per day in Henderson County. The judge called the attempt to stop child abuse “a great collaborative effort between our nonprofit organizations. Our elected officials and law enforcement thank y’all.”
The court also approved a $1,571.19 request to reimburse a hotel stay, along with a mileage reimbursement of $267.80, for County Extension Agent Spencer Perkins during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“I know he spent a considerable amount of time down there,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Chuck McHam said, noting the success of Henderson County kids in Houston.
Also approved was a building maintenance agreement with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for a structure located at 101 West Baker St. in Athens. McKinney said the county leases the building to the state and this agreement would change the windows at no cost to the county.
In other business, the court:
• Approved a request from the county’s Juvenile Probation Department for a cellphone for Administrative Assistant and Community Services Activity Officer Jennie Medina.
• Approved an interlocal agreement with Eustace ISD for the Crimes Against Children Task Force; Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the school district is the fourteenth task force member.
• Approved a request for Malakoff ISD to purchase from the county for $4,500 a 2016 Ford Explorer which has been taken out of service by the Sheriff’s Office.
• Approved a refund request from the Henderson County Tax Assessor-Collector for overpayment of taxes, issuing two checks totaling $10,549.72.
• Approved an infrastructure development site plan with three variances for the Caney Trails RV Resort, located in Precinct 4 at Lake Palestine, for filing purposes only.
• Approved a right-of-way agreement for East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District to install a sewer line for service at a Scenic Drive residence in Precinct 2.
• Approved a request for Spectrum to install fiber-optic internet connections along County Roads 4628, 4511, 4517 and 4622, located in Precinct 4.
• Approved a bid by George P. Bane Inc. for a $327,218.68 wheeled excavator for Precinct 4.
• Approved the payment of fiscal year 2023 bills in the amount of $375,766.88.