Mental Health Struggles - Missing Children - How Many Are Falling Through the Cracks
Every day in the news we are seeing more and more abuse cases that are quite extensive. There is definitely a pattern between undiagnosed mental illness or untreated mental health struggles that are unfolding onto our innocent children. Our country has had a very high influx of mental health conditions and suicide rates are also flying through the roof. There have been countless stories of murder/suicide of whole families. This is mind blowing to think about the reality!
We must be vigilant in reporting unsafe behaviors and protect our kids. They continue to fall through the cracks, and mental health is not being addressed in the way that it should be. There is still this taboo vibe surrounding talking about it or sharing if a person is struggling. We need to create more safe spaces for people to share and feel settled enough to ask for help.
I am sharing two separate stories that directly relate to child safety and mental health. There are missing children out there all over the country, and sometimes they are not even reported missing until a year later. How can this be? Please be aware of what is happening in your families, neighborhoods and communities. If we all work together, things can change for the better, but if everyone remains silent then we will continue to lose our children.
#seesomethingsaysomething #mandatedreporters #childrenmatter #mentalhealthmatters #bethechange #raiseyourvoice #askthequestions #advocate
The difficult part about this story below, is that this young girl was living in a jeep with her father, and people knew about it. No child should ever be living in a vehicle. Why is it that nobody reported this sooner? This is one of those moments when people needed to step up and they are not. Now a little girl is missing and believed to be in danger.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued an urgent news alert amid their search for Miamor Hernandez Brown. The agency said the four-year-old went missing with her dad, Jose Carmelo Hernandez Martinez, and his partner, Erika Alejandra Simich, from Cornelius on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
"The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, believes that Miamor may be at risk and is searching for her to assess her safety," said the ODHS.
The story below is riddled with abuse and neglect
This story is about extreme child abuse, and a suspicious disappearance. This young boy had been missing since January 2, 2026 and a massive search had been established to find him safely. The back story was all about abuse and punishments that were unbearable for this young boy. The good news coming out of this story is that he was found safe on January 11, 2026. He was found over 20 miles away from his home. He is in the care and custody of the state and will NOT be returning to his family. His mother and stepfather were arrested and charged with child abuse and many other charges surrounding child endangerment.
Even though this story has a happy ending, this young man will face a long road towards healing. People knew about the abuse and remained silent; it was only when he went missing that people stepped up. This case could have ended in tragedy.
**Kimberly Cole and George Cole Jr. were arrested on multiple child abuse by injury complaints, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
See Something - Say Something! Do not wait until it is too late.
Remember always keep yourself updated on the laws and rights of youth, and be aware of all this is happening in your local area.
Lisa Zarcone
Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate - Public Speaker - Blogger — CASA ADVOCATE (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for youth in the judicial system
