When I saw crime tape draped around the steps to the apartment building next door to the Rowan Community Center, I couldn’t fathom what may have happened but I knew it wouldn’t be anything good.
The center is home to a number of groups I belong to, and I have witnessed the surrounding neighborhood’s fair share of violence. I was totally unprepared to later hear that a baby had been beaten to death by her stepfather for alleging getting a piece of cake without permission.
Deonte Evans has been charged with the murder of Jabria Phillips, a month shy of her second birthday. In addition to the recent blunt force trauma, the autopsy also revealed signs of previous physical abuse. That abuse allegedly occurred with the knowledge of her mother, Shanikia Evans, who was charged with child endangerment.
The growing trend of mothers’ boyfriends and stepfathers killing their children is a tragic one, adding to the other ugly stats of child abuse. I often say that adults are children’s biggest problems – adults who are emotionally or mentally unhealthy, irresponsible or apathetic.
On the eve of National Child Abuse Month, the heartbreaking news of 11-year-old Antonio Johnson hit the airwaves. Antonio was shot in the head as he sat at his home computer. It is believed that the innocent youngster may have been caught in the middle of a shooting retaliation.
According to the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), four children die every day as a result of child abuse; eight are killed by guns daily. Now Antonio and Jabria have been added to those grim statistics.
A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. About 70 percent of children that die from abuse are under the age of 4 years old. It is estimated that over half of child fatalities due to abuse or neglect are not even recorded as such on their death certificates.
Black and brown communities are too familiar with gun violence; it is the leading cause of death for teens of color. The CDF cites young black males die from gun violence at a rate 2.5 times higher than Latino males, and eight times higher than white males. Gun injuries are suffered by black teens at a rate ten times higher than white teens.
About a year ago, the Center for American Progress released a report analyzing gun violence and gun laws in all 50 states based upon 2010 data. In its report “America Under the Gun,” Missouri was found to be one of the 10 worst in several areas, including overall firearm deaths, homicides and suicides. The report also noted that Missouri’s high rates of gun violence were accompanied by weak gun laws.
In America, we love our guns. The right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. But I think most sane and civilized people can agree that kids and guns don’t go together. We have more than our share of reports to validate this fact.
There’ll be a number of activities going on during National Child Abuse Month such as Safe and Sound Smart Strategies on April 9 at the University of Missouri sponsored by Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice and Vision for Children at Risk. I believe we could all use additional help in identifying abuse and the potential dangers children face in their homes, schools and places of worship, and the resources needed to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.
Our concern for child safety must go beyond the month of April. This city and our society must show a daily resolve for addressing issues that endanger our children’s lives and compromise our future.
