The stories are heartbreaking, all-too-common and shrouded in misconceptions. “Child sexual abuse is kind of a taboo subject,” said Celena Ditz, therapist and co-parenting coordinator. “People don’t want to talk about it.” Margie Christopher, executive director of Children’s Homes of Cleveland County, said it seems like every time she picks up the newspaper, there is another story about a child who has been sexually abused. More often than not, it was by a family member or someone trusted by the family.

A steady, baritone voice echoed in the House chamber, crowded with representatives, staff and guests gathered in the gallery to recognize the importance of the fight against child abuse. “Katelynn Stinnett.” The name ran among the marble-toned pillars and sailed into the vaulted ceiling. “Katelynn Stinnett,” the voice announced once more; and the name coaxed sniffles, then tears from several guests.

WASHINGTON — A volunteer at a Texas church home to the largest congregation in the United States has been charged with sexually abusing an autistic child. Alvaro Daniel Guzman, 25, was charged with indecency with a child over a February 2010 incident at a Lakewood Church activities program for special needs children, according to local media reports in Houston. The arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday, but Guzman is still free.

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A 28-year-old social studies teacher, youth pastor and girl’s basketball coach at Yearling Middle School was arrested Thursday morning on a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child. Joel A. Huddleston, of 3844 NW 30 Ave., also is youth pastor at the Buckhead Ridge Christian Church, according to the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

A MAN who today admitted murdering his two-year-old daughter posted a message on Facebook which read “Bout 2 kill ma kid” just before he stabbed her with a massive Ninja-style knife. Shortly afterwards Ramazan “Ramzy” Acar, 24, sent a text message to the toddler’s mother Rachelle D’Argent which read “It’s ova I did it”. A magistrate heard today that as little Yazmina Acar lay dying beside her father he posted another Facebook message which read “Pay bk u slut”.

EAST LOS ANGELES– Sheriffs Homicide Bureau are investigating a murder-suicide which occurred late Saturday that left twin children, their mother and father dead. According a report written by Deputy Lillian Peck, the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Salvador Acevedo, and his girlfriend, identified as 33-year-old Iris Oseguera, reportedly engaged in a domestic dispute while in Acevedo’s vehicle with their 5-year-old twins and three adolescent children. Acevedo shot Oseguera and the twins before dropping the adolescent children off at a relative’s home.

The group made £2.2m from subscriptions to their ‘news service’, which was run from the hamlet of Martin Dales in Lincolnshire. A total of 132 British children have been put into protective custody as a result of the investigation. More than 1,300 people from 45 countries used the site to access millions of child abuse images. Those subscribing to the service, called Athenanews, were able to access and download folders labelled “teens”, “baby” and “boys”.

TULSA – According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, child abuse occurs during potty training more than any other time in a child’s life. At the Child Abuse Network in Tulsa, they see 35 to 45 children per week, most have suffered some type of abuse. Experts say it’s important to spot the signs and report it before it’s too late.

FAIRMONT — The West Virginia State Police have arrested a Fairmont man on charges of incest, sexual abuse and child abuse. George Jones, 48, faces 15 felony counts. Authorities say Jones allegedly sexually abused a female family member for eight years and that he might have abused other children in the house.

The city’s most notorious child abuse case – the death of Lisa Steinberg – became an issue Thursday in the trial of two cops charged with rape. The bizarre aside came as prosecutors were grilling defense witness Dr. Mitchell Essig, who had just testified about the accuser’s injuries. In an attempt to discredit him, they got Essig to admit he was involved in the 1986 illegal adoption of a newborn boy by Joel Steinberg – who was later convicted of killing adopted daughter Lisa, 6.

KISSIMMEE, FL — A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing his girlfriend’s son in 2009. Jonathan Alicea pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. “Brutal crimes perpetrated upon innocent child victims are impossible to understand,” Kissimmee Police Chief Fran Iwanski said in a prepared statement after the sentencing. “We are somewhat relieved that the offender made the decision to admit his guilt and accept the consequences for his actions.”

RALEIGH, N.C. —A teen mother in Raleigh has been accused of intentionally breaking her 1-year-old son’s legs. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, 17-year-old Princess Angelina Zamot was charged with one count of intentional child abuse after police received an anonymous 911 call about mistreatment of a child.

LOS ANGELES, CA — A $50,000 reward is expected to be announced Friday in the search for the driver of a sport utility vehicle that struck and killed a 6-year-old girl in South Los Angeles. Kemberly Arrue was playing with a ball near her home in the 600 block of West 49th Place around 9:53 p.m. Tuesday when she lost the ball and ran after it into the street, LAPD Capt. Jorge Rodriguez said.

SANTA ANA — An anesthesiologist is accused of sexually assaulting two female patients while they were unconscious.
Yashwant Balgiri Giri, 58, is charged with one felony count each of sexual battery and sexual penetration by foreign object. The defendant was arrested in Cypress on Thursday.