Help stamp out child abuse and neglect

The News-Press is hosting a vigil commemorating the victims of child neglect, abuse and murder. It will be at Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30.

Show your support for the community efforts to clean up the agencies responsible for caring for abused and neglected kids by attending the vigil.

Do it for Michelle Fontanez.

She's the 13-year-old Leigh Acres girl who was brutally murdered by her stepfather in 2006 after state child welfare workers didn't believe her when she said her stepfather was raping her. The state did nothing to protect the girl and now she's a statistic.

Do it for Zahid Jones, the 3-yearold who was tortured and murdered in May. Nearly all of the child's advocates, including his caseworker, missed a shelter hearing and the child was returned to his mother. She and her boyfriend are accused of the crimes.

But most of all do it so we won't have to attend another vigil for another child victim.