Amador officials are hoping that a shocking recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help raise awareness of child abuse on a local level. The study showed close to one in 50 infants in the country were victims of child abuse or neglect in their first year. Amador County’s Child Welfare Services Office statistics indicate a total of 42 reported cases of child abuse in February and 45 in January. Roughly 10 percent of the reports received are confirmed as legitimate cases. On average, the office receives 45-60 reports a month. Reports are received from law enforcement officials, child care providers and concerned citizens.

According to Matt Zanze, program manager for the child welfare office, any reasonably suspicious report of sexual or physical abuse is investigated jointly with local law enforcement. If a situation is deemed unsuitable for the child, the law will take the child into protective custody, which may require Child Welfare services to file a petition with the court. Zanze explained that his department will try and keep the child with their family whenever possible. “The law requires we make every effort to help the children remain in their home. We work to make sure parents receive the necessary parenting skills,” says Zanze. However, a number of children who have been separated from their families are put into foster care.