Incidents of child abuse higher in HR

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - People in Hampton Roads are irate over the death of four-month-old Piper Molinski, who was the victim of severe child abuse and neglect. Her twin sister, Ella, is still being treated for similar injuries.

The twins' parents have been charged with abuse.

10 On Your Side has reported for years that Hampton Roads has a higher incident of child abuse deaths than any other part of the state. Last year, 16 children died from abuse in Hampton Roads. Nearly 200 children have died since the state started keeping records 15 years ago.

Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads collects this data every day. WAVY.com spoke with their executive director to find out why so many are still dying.

"A lot of it we're finding out this year is a lack of resources," Executive Director Betty Wade Coyle said.

Wade-Coyle explained that it comes down to money and added that Governor Bob McDonnell has proposed even more cuts. McDonnell wants to eliminate $1 million in funding to child advocacy centers.

In Hampton Roads, that would affect the Child Abuse Program at Children's Hospital for the King's Daughter . The program provides exams, therapy, forensic interviewing for police and parenting evaluations.

"There are a lot of countries in the world where kids are a high priority, where parents are taught and supported through parenthood and I don't think we do those very well in America anymore," Wade-Coyle said. 

Wade-Coyle points to Sweden as an example, where both working parents are entitled to more than a year of family leave. She encourages Hampton Roads residents to contact state and federal lawmakers to initiate change and to protect programs that protect children.

Wade-Coyle said when you see a child or parent at risk, step out of your comfort zone.

"When you're in the grocery store and you see something going on, run up; empathize with the parents; diffuse the situation...and it generally stops the kid from crying," Wade-Coyle said.

In Support of Children, a student group at Old Dominion University , held a vigil for children who have been killed as a result of child abuse and neglect on Wednesday night. This is the event's seventh year.

"These infants were beaten, and broken, and bruised, and forsaken and the degree to which they were harmed is so appalling that i can't, that it mobilizes us...We need to change," Karen Polonko, a professor of Sociology at ODU, said.

Polonko went on to say that her goal in hosting the annual event is to encourage the implementation of stricter laws. She also wants more laws pertaining to children's rights.