| Calhoun was among ten WV counties in 2009 with a large number of cases of neglect and child abuse with 43.09 cases per thousand, with the state average at 18.9 per thousand.
The county, according to statistics provided by the WV-DHHR has a high percentage of children removed from families and placed in custody, at least prior to 2011.
During 2009 in Calhoun, the highest of cases removed and placed in alternative custody was 48.
In 2010, the highest
number was 46, but since early 2010 through most of 2011, the number of custody cases has dropped to a monthly high of 22.
Children's Protective Services says the reason for children being removed from a family is that the child is in danger and needs a safer home, or that parents will not try to make the home safer.
CPS says it rarely removes children from homes, but when it does, CPS, parents and others work together to bring the child back home.
Recently, a number of Calhoun children have been removed from parental custody related to the parents being charged with drug offenses.
In Calhoun Circuit Court, the number of juvenile cases far exceeds other criminal cases on the docket.
Open children's neglect and abuse cases in Calhoun and regional counties, high for the year:
2006: Calhoun 46, Gilmer 48, Ritchie 24, Wirt 10, Braxton 105, Clay 117, Roane 70.
2007: Calhoun 48, Gilmer 46, Ritchie 24, Wirt 11, Braxton 109, Clay 81, Roane 32.
2008: Calhoun 47, Gilmer 37, Ritchie 24, Wirt 22, Braxton 80, Clay 63, Roane 39.
2009: Calhoun 46; Gilmer 38; Ritchie 26; Wirt 23; Braxton 56; Clay 58; Roane 32.
2010: Calhoun 48; Gilmer 33; Ritchie 22; Wirt 15; Braxton 67; Clay 67; Roane 30.
2011 (Jan.-Oct.): Calhoun 39; Gilmer 24; Ritchie 23; Wirt 13; Clay 90; Roane 30.
Comparing the number of cases removed from families and placed in custody with regional counties:
*2009 Highs
Calhoun 48; Gilmer 20; Ritchie 23; Wirt 9.
*2010 Highs
Calhoun 46; Gilmer 29; Ritchie 21; Wirt 18
*2011 Highs (Jan.-Aug.)
Calhoun 22; Gilmer 28; Ritchie 20; Wirt 3
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