Dallas CASA and partner agencies with the Dallas County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition

(CAPCO) will host the Dallas County annual child abuse and neglect prevention awareness event on Friday, April 4. The event occurs in conjunction with April’s Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

Local child abuse prevention advocates and child welfare workers are invited to the event, which will be held in the Dallas CASA parking lot. In-N-Out Burger is donating lunch. The event will honor the four Dallas children who died due to maltreatment in fiscal year 2024. In fiscal year 2023, there were 13 child deaths, and in fiscal year 2022 there were seven deaths.

WFAA reporter Steve “Scoop” Jefferson will emcee the event, with Bishop Aaron Blake, Sr. from Harvest Family Life Ministries, providing the keynote address. Many child advocates will join the event, including University of North Texas student Selina Leija, a member of Push UNTil Success Happens (PUSH), a student organization supporting youth who were in foster care. The Hon. Hector Garza of the 195th District Court, a felony court, will be on hand for a call to action and recognition of child welfare caseworkers and advocates, and Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Theresa Daniel will present a proclamation read at Dallas County Commissioners Court on April 1. The Dallas County Child Abuse Prevention Leadership Award will be presented to Leigh Ann Lozano.