CASA volunteers protect abused children

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Juvenile court Judge Loretta Rush spent the past 11 years behind the bench working to help children.

"The severity of the abuse I think it's increased. The physical harm, the trauma that these young children are going through," she said. "I keep thinking I've seen it all. Every possible way a child could be traumatized and then there will be a new case that will come in."

The damage is done by the time children come to the courtroom but 21 adults will give children who find themselves before the judge a voice.

Guthrie Bonnett said he's ready to get started because protecting children can't wait.

"They say find a passion you're willing to do regardless of getting paid for it or not and this is something I would do anyways," he explained.

Bonnett and the others will volunteer time to do an investigation into the children's lives, represent them in court, and make sure they are well cared for and safe.

"I've had CASA volunteers see children get into college, to make sure that happened for them. To make sure they had clothing to join a sports team," said Rush.

Becky Barnes also took the oath.

This year 124 children were in court without a CASA volunteer. Barnes said the need maybe great, but she is willing do what she can.

"There's got to be something we can do to help children," she stated. "This was the best thing I could think of to give what little help I can."
Rush: "We have more abuse and neglect in the US than any other developed country."

Children's voices may be small, but CASA volunteers will make sure they get heard.

Judge Rush said the numbers of children in foster care can be telling of how the problem of abuse and neglect increased. In 2000, there were 81 children in foster homes in Tippecanoe County. Last year, there were 350.