Five Area Counties Launch Task Force to Combat Increasing Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

(Missourinet) The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office has started a new task force meant to combat a rise in child sex crimes in northwest Missouri brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nodaway County Sheriff Randy Strong has seen an increase in abuse due to more people staying home during the pandemic, and more children being home from school.

Studies show that about 1 in 7 Missouri children have experienced abuse or neglect within the past year. The task force covers Nodaway, Atchison, Holt, Gentry and Worth counties.