"Winning the lottery": Child advocacy center gets grant

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GREENFIELD — Representatives from State Farm visited Greenfield this week to present the leadership board of Hancock County’s future child advocacy center with a check for $25,000.

The center — to be called Zoey’s Place in memory of local crime victim Zoey Wagoner — will be a place where young Hancock County crime victims can report offenses and be safely and easily interviewed by investigators.

Zoey’s Place was one of 40 projects from around the country that earned grant money from State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist program. Votes for the winners were cast in an online, nationwide poll this summer, and more than 200 causes vied for the money.

The center’s name, Zoey’s Place, recognizes 1-year-old Zoey Wagoner, who died three years ago after a short life marred by physical abuse, an autopsy of her body revealed, according to investigators.

Zoey’s parents, Matthew Wagoner and Jessica Merriman, are now serving lengthy prison sentences for their role in her death.

Those spearheading the project hope calling Hancock County’s child advocacy center Zoey’s Place will serve as both a reminder and a recognition. Zoey’s case shows what can happen if perpetrators of child abuse and neglect aren’t quickly brought to justice, they say.

The purpose of a child advocacy center is to give young crime victims a safe way to talk about the abuse or neglect they’ve suffered; somewhere warm and welcoming, away from the guns and badges of a police department, to open up about what’s happened to them.

The child’s conversation with an interviewer is captured by surveillance cameras and broadcast into another room in the building, where police, prosecutors and caseworkers from the Indiana Department of Child Services can watch the interview live, making notes and relaying questions back to the interviewer.

This ensures a child is interviewed about criminal allegations just once, minimizing any fear or discomfort they might have.

The board spearheading creation of the center — which is made up of local law enforcement, prosecutors and other community stakeholders — earned nonprofit status earlier this year. They hope the grant money from State Farm will kick start fundraiser efforts to make the place a reality.

“It’s like winning the lottery,” said board president Bridget Foy.

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A bowling event to benefit Hancock County’s future child advocacy center, Zoey’s Place, will take place from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 4 at Strike Force Lanes, 1539 W. Main St., in Greenfield.

Bowlers can participate in teams of four or six; those who sign up individually will be placed in groups.

Raffles and silent auctions will take place throughout the afternoon. Money raised at the event will be used to fund a location, equipment and staff for Zoey’s Place.

Those who pre-register at bowlforzoey2018.eventzilla.net can participate for $20; registration at the event is $25. The fee includes shoes and a lane.

For more information, contact Bridget Foy at [email protected].

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