child to be hurt, maimed, or even killed. Child abuse can be
either physical, mental, emotional or sexual. Because of child
abuse, Caprice Ried will never do the things that a normal four-
year old does. She will never play on a playground, or go to a
sleepover, and never go to school. All of this was taken away
from her at such a young age, when she died of child abuse. The
foster parents, Patricia Coker, and her mother Betty Coker have
been charged with second degree murder for Caprice's death.
Caprice went without food for days. She was also tied to a chair
and beaten with a stick until she couldn't walk. Several days
later, she was found dead. As horrible as this story seems, this
scene happens way to often. In 1996, approximately 3,126,000
children were reported for child abuse. Currently, about 47 out
of every 1,000 children are reported as victims of child abuse
and maltreatment. Overall, child abuse reporting levels have
increased 45% between 1987 and 1996. In 1996, an estimated 1,046
child abuse and n