Each of the 1,528 pinwheels represents a visit with Cook Children’s Child Advocacy Resource and Evaluation (C.A.R.E) team due to suspected child abuse in 2025. In Prosper, 1,287 pinwheels illustrate the victims of child abuse in Denton County in 2025.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels help draw attention to the issue and remind caregivers, families and parents they are not alone. Each pinwheel isn’t just a case or a number, it represents a child.

“We see kids who are referred to us from other medical providers, law enforcement, or CPS,” explained Erica Bohmer, M.D., a physician with the C.A.R.E. Team. “Anytime there's a concern for any kind of abuse or neglect they are referred to us.”

Dr. Bohmer clarifies that a referral to the C.A.R.E team does not automatically mean abuse is confirmed. In 2024, less than half of the children referred were substantiated.

Protecting the Child, Supporting the Caregiver

The C.A.R.E. Team consists of social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors and medical assistants who focus not only on the physical well-being of the child but also the family’s holistic care.

“We know that kids are most at risk (for child abuse) when their caregivers are going through really stressful or traumatic times in their own life, and they have a lower threshold of tolerance for being frustrated or they just don't have the right resources,” said Dr. Bohmer. “By providing help to caregivers we can have the biggest impact in preventing child abuse and neglect.”

Dr. Bohmer says abuse is usually identified during physical exams. The C.A.R.E. team most commonly receives outpatient referrals due to sexual abuse and most evaluations from inpatient referrals is due to physical abuse. Across the health care system and nationwide child neglect is often the biggest form of child abuse. The C.A.R.E team also performs neglect evaluations when there are concerns for illicit drug exposure.

A majority of referrals to the C.A.R.E team for suspected child abuse are due maltreatment and concerns for drug exposure.

Child abuse is preventable with the right tools and resources. The C.A.R.E. team understands the stresses of everyday life can take a toll, but it’s important for caregivers to know there is help available.

“We try to help identify resources that we can help families with, whether it's connecting them with food banks or if they need help filling out applications for a WIC or touching base with local, advocacy centers or even clothing, transportation, just anything that we can do to help the families, even down to working with electricity and water companies,” said Carla Davis, RN, nurse manager for the C.A.R.E. team

 In Texas any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it to law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Abuse Hotline. Health care professionals are mandated reporters who must report suspicions of abuse within 24 hours. 

“We care about protecting the children and the entire family,” said Davis, “We want to try to support and help as best we can so that it can be a successful situation where the families can stay together.” 

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But it doesn’t make her any less infuriated by the actions of an adult taking away the innocence of a child. Dr. Coffman said parents need to take certain steps to teach their children how to protect themselves:

1. Educate your children. Most importantly, educate your children about the dangers of predators. “The main thing is to educate your child and let them know what is not appropriate. What’s not OK,” Coffman said. “For children, young adults reading this, it’s not OK to be touched inappropriately. I don’t care who it is. Mom. Dad. Grandma. Grandpa. A family friend. A pastor. A police. A coach. It doesn’t matter who the authority figure is. If you are being abused, tell a trusted adult. If they don’t believe you or do something about it, keep telling an adult until someone does something.”
2. Start at a young age, making children aware of what is and what isn’t inappropriate touching. Dr. Coffman said at around 2 or 3 years old parents can use certain teaching moments to inform children on inappropriate touching. “When you are bathing your child that’s a good opportunity,” she said. “Make sure to name their body parts. I don’t care what you call it, just make sure your children know what their privates are called. During a bath or while they are using the potty, use that opportunity to teach them the difference between caregivers performing necessary child care during bathing or toileting and inappropriate touches. Let children know if someone else makes them feel funny or uncomfortable by touching them, to let you know.”
3. Let your children know it’s OK to talk to you. Generally speaking, Dr. Coffman said pedophiles don’t usually start out being extremely aggressive. They usually start with more generic touching and gaining the child’s trust. Dr. Coffman said that’s why it is extremely important to let your children know that they need to be able to come to you, as a parent, and let you know of anything that’s inappropriate. They also need to be assured that they will not get in trouble if they tell you they are uncomfortable about anything.
4. Communicate and report abuse. Let your child know to tell someone. Just letting someone know and reporting the crime can prevent a whole lot of tragedy.