Bright blue pinwheels line the sidewalk leading up to the Howell Carnegie Library and there they will stay for the rest of the month as a reminder to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The Livingston County Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council hosted its Fourth Annual kickoff event for Child Abuse Prevention Month on the lawn of the Howell library on Monday afternoon.

Guest speakers included LACASA President Bobette Schrandt, CAP Council Director Deanna Norris, Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse and Emily Schuster-Wachsberger from the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund.

The number of confirmed child abuse cases in Livingston County has jumped 344 percent, from 68 cases in 2000 to 302 cases in 2010, according to Schrandt.

The Child Welfare Information Gateway reports that trauma from child abuse and neglect can result in impaired brain development, depression, withdrawal, poor academic performance, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and physical and mental health problems.

For more information about the CAP Council's campaign to end child abuse or other LACASA events, visit them online at www.lacasacenter.org.