Flags At State Capitol Remember Child Abuse Deaths

April is Child Abuse Awareness month. As a  reminder, a field of flags has been planted on the Oklahoma state capitol's south lawn to remember each child in the U.S. killed by abuse.

There are more than 1,400 flags planted right now, representing each death in the United State in 2017. 39 Oklahoma flags represent children killed by abuse in Oklahoma during that same year. Oklahoma City District Attorney David Prater spoke today on the need for change that he says will have long-lasting effects.

"If we can prevent or lessen the adverse childhood experiences, what we see is children are less likely to go into the juvenile system and ultimately the adult system. So true criminal justice reform starts with the children making sure that we take care of our babies." Prater said.

The flags will remain at the Capitol through Sunday.