Local school honors 32 children who died from domestic violence

HICKORY, N.C. — A local school is raising awareness of the 32 children who died across the state last year because of domestic violence.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty spoke to the students Tuesday about what they're doing to illustrate the problem.

The children who died from abuse near Charlotte included two each from Iredell, Gaston and Rowan counties, along with Chekeem Hickman, from Newton.

Newton Police Chief Don Brown hung a tiny shirt representing the 7-month-old in downtown Hickory.

Police said the baby died from severe internal injuries inflicted by the mother's boyfriend.

"It is just horrific to see that happen on a child that is totally dependent as us as adults. It was a terrible situation with this young baby,” Brown said.

The Children's Advocacy and Protection Council of Catawba County held the vigil to encourage people to report signs of abuse.

Each of the shirts hung were done by art students at Hickory High School.  Anna Fisher and Emily Ashley showed Channel 9 their work.

"It really sits deep with you because it makes you understand how intense stuff can be,” Anna said.

"It was very humbling thinking about that those children were in that situation and that's how they lived,” Emily said.

A bell rang as the names of each of the children who died were read.

Students also sang in hopes of raising awareness about the problem of abuse. It had an impact on parents, including Sarah Luhrs, who stopped with her 3-year-old son.

"It's really great that they're doing something to remember the kids. It's touching to see all of the shirts lined up over there," Luhrs said.

The shirts will be taken down and during the next year turned into a quilt for everyone to see by placing it in a public building in Catawba County.

For more information on domestic violence, click here.

Cox Media Group