Norton Children's opens new center combatting child abuse at the Home of the Innocents

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Norton Children's ceremonially cut the ribbon Wednesday on a new center at Home of the Innocents that will be staffed with doctors, nurses, a social worker and more to address abuse and neglect in Louisville kids.

Norton said in a news release Wednesday that the Child Maltreatment 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children's Bureau said Kentucky's rate of child abuse is about 60% higher than the national average. According to the report. Kentucky's rate of child abuse victims is 12.3 victims per 1,000 children, and most of those are under the age of 4.

"The Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation is committed to stopping child abuse in our state," Lynnie Meyer, senior vice president and chief development officer of Norton Healthcare, said in a news release Wednesday. "Just imagine the impact our community can have when we come together to support our children and families."

One of those victims was 9-month-old Karlie Mellick, who, 15 years ago, was one of the thousands of Kentucky children abused, exploited and neglected. Her mother, Kara Mellick, attended Wednesday's news conference.

"I will never get to see Karlie enjoy her first birthday, her first day of school or even pass her driving test, which would have been this year," Mellick said.

The new Norton Children's Center for Safe and Healthy Kids offers therapy services, parenting classes and prevention efforts to families and caregivers.

"Many of our patients are, unfortunately, either in foster care or kinship care, friends or family taking care of the child so that the child can be safe," said Dr. Melissa Currie with Norton Children's.

The center is located at the Home of the Innocents campus in Louisville. It's open Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings.