Write a commentApril is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Erin’s Angels of CNY is marking the observance by honoring the memory of Erin Maxwell and renewing its call for passage of the New York State Children’s Bill of Rights, a policy proposal designed to strengthen protections for children across the state.
Erin Maxwell died in Oswego County after repeated failures within the child welfare system. Her case continues to serve as a stark reminder of what is at stake when children lack enforceable rights and a voice within systems meant to protect them.
“Erin’s story is not an isolated tragedy,” said Cherrie Bardot, chairperson of the Erin’s Angels Advocacy Committee. “It represents systemic gaps that still exist today. The Children’s Bill of Rights is about ensuring that every child is seen, heard, provided for and protected, regardless of circumstances.”
According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Oswego County’s indicated child abuse and maltreatment rate was approximately 44.8 per 1,000 children in recent years, more than three times the statewide rate of 12.4 per 1,000. Statewide, more than 45,000 children were confirmed victims of abuse or maltreatment in New York in a single recent year. In upstate New York alone, there were 19,671 indicated reports in 2023.
An anonymous survivor of domestic abuse, and a mother navigating a difficult divorce, shared her thoughts on the need for a minimum standard of care for all children in New York State.
“I unequivocally support the Children’s Bill of Rights. Our current system leaves critical gaps in how children’s basic needs and dignity are protected. As adults, we often take for granted essentials like a warm bed, reliable heat, and three meals a day, things many children quietly go without. I’ve seen firsthand how a child’s autonomy and voice can be diminished for the convenience or authority of adults. I’ve fought for my own child to be seen as a whole human being, not as property, and watched that fight fall flat in systems meant to protect him. The Children’s Bill of Rights is a vital step toward closing these gaps and ensuring every child is treated with the respect, safety, and humanity they deserve.”
Sheila Dion, founder and executive director of Erin’s Angels of CNY, said the proposed bill is rooted in lived experience and years of advocacy.
“This is not about politics. It is about children who cannot vote, cannot lobby, and often cannot speak safely,” Dion said. “The Children’s Bill of Rights gives New York a moral framework to put children first, in law and in practice.”
Erin’s Angels of CNY is urging community members across Central New York and the state to add their names to the Change.org petition supporting the bill at https://erinsangels.com/childrens-bill-of-rights. Organizers say a strong showing of public support is essential to advancing the proposal with state lawmakers.
Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a reminder that awareness must be paired with action. Advocates say honoring Erin Maxwell’s memory means ensuring fewer families experience the same loss. For more information, interviews, or media inquiries, visit www.erinsangels.com.
Erin’s Angels of CNY, founded in 2017, provides weekend meal bags to every student in need in the Phoenix Central School District and has an outreach program to help other school districts and community programs. While Erin’s Angels currently serves children in the Phoenix Central School District, the long-term vision is to expand their reach and provide food to kids experiencing food insecurity across Central New York, ensuring that no child goes hungry. For more information or to donate, visit www.ErinsAngels.com.
About Erin's Angels of CNY
Erin's Angels of CNY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding children in need through school-based programs. Since its founding, the organization has given thousands of meals to Oswego County students. The mission is to unite Central New York to ensure that children in need have access to the food they deserve. Together, with the community’s support, they are making a meaningful difference, one meal, one child, one act of love at a time.
