“Wear Blue Day” and Child Memorial raise awareness of child abuse in Lucas County

(TOLEDO, OH – March 31, 2026) — With nearly 1,400 Lucas County children confirmed to have been victims of child abuse or neglect in Lucas County last year, Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is once again calling on the community at large to help raise awareness of this problem by holding events that shed light on its impact.

For the 13th consecutive year, LCCS, WTOL, KISS-FM, 101.5 The River, Focaccias 419, and Lamar Outdoor are sponsoring Wear Blue Day, April 8. The campaign calls on everyone who lives, works, plays, or attends school in Lucas County to post photos of themselves wearing blue to the LCCS Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LucasCountyChildrenServices, and marked with the hashtag #OhioWearsBlue. The goal is to raise awareness that child abuse impacts youth in our community, and that everyone plays a role in keeping kids safe.

On April 16, at 11 a.m., LCCS will host its annual Child Memorial at LCCS offices, 301 Adams Street in downtown Toledo (enter through the Superior Street doors). Toledo City Councilman John Hobbs III will be the keynote speaker. This year’s ceremony will remember ten children lost in 2025 and who ranged in age from a few weeks to 16 years old. Three of the children to be honored were victims of abuse or neglect. Half of the youth were teen victims of community gun violence.

“LCCS continues to advance a family-centered approach that prioritizes keeping children safely connected to their families and communities. We focused on increasing the use of in-home services to support parents and caregivers in addressing challenges before court intervention -when it is safe to do so,” said Randy Muth, LCCS executive director. “By delivering services where families live, we reduce disruption and strengthen protective factors in a familiar environment.”

Other key statistics for 2025 include:

• There were 1,387 confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect in Lucas County last year, a decrease of seven percent from 2024.
• The average number of children in LCCS or relative custody each month (854) increased by two percent.
• Parental substance abuse remained the most common reason that LCCS opened a case, and cocaine was the most frequently abused substance, supplanting opiates for the first time in several years.
• 45 percent of the children placed in LCCS custody during 2025 were placed with relatives, continuing a greater emphasis on kinship care and ensuring they remain connected to relatives or trusted adults whenever appropriate.

About Lucas County Children Services
The mission of Lucas County Children Services is to lead the community in the protection of children at risk of abuse and neglect. This is accomplished by working with families, service providers and community members to assess risk and coordinate community-based services resulting in safe, stable, and permanent families for children.