child abuse

April 3, 2025

Children’s Advocacy Center Places Windmills To Raise Awareness

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Mayor Anthony J. Court and David Young, a Fatherhood Specialist with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lawrence County, have taken a commendable step in raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Their efforts highlight the importance of community involvement in protecting children and supporting families. The signs and windmills in the downtown area of Ellwood City not only catch attention but serve as powerful symbols of hope and advocacy for the prevention of child abuse. The blue pinwheel is a symbol of the healthy, happy, and full childhoods all children deserve. National Child…

March 11, 2025

Bernstine Introduces Legislation to Establish Registry for Individuals Convicted of Child Abuse

HARRISBURG – Legislation aimed at improving community safety by establishing a public registry for individuals convicted of child abuse has been introduced by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence). This new registry would ensure information about child abusers is easily accessible to the public, empowering communities across the Commonwealth to take necessary precautions. “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, free from harm,” said Bernstine. “By creating this registry, we are taking an important step toward protecting our children and giving communities the tools they need to prevent abuse. The public has a right to know who is in their…

November 10, 2024

Former Ellwood City Resident Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

A former resident of Ellwood City pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on November 7th. Shayne Clapper, 30, pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in January 2023 through February 2023, Clapper initiated a sexual relationship with a minor known to him. Clapper provided the minor with a cell phone that he used to communicate with the minor. Clapper requested and received nude images from the minor….

July 26, 2024

Wampum Resident Indicted for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Wampum, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Production of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The three-count Indictment named Thomas Hyatt-Baney, 21, formerly of Wampum, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, Hyatt-Baney, on or about May 28, 2023, and June 25, 2023, produced visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of a minor. The Indictment also charges Hyatt-Baney with possessing, on or about September…