A long-time child safety advocate, Judge Peter Sakai heads San Antonio's 225th District Court, or the "Children's Court." Judge Sakai has recently joined the new Protect Our Children Commission, which is looking into accidental and non-accidental deaths that often result from abuse and neglect.
In Texas,an average 220 children die every year in these conditions. Often, these deaths are avoidable, including drownings, co-sleeping, and improperly buckling seatbelts. Currently, 1,000 toddlers in San Antonio are at risk. To address these problems, Judge Sakai wanted to focus attention on prevention, available nonprofit and CPS resources, and reeducating parents, who often struggle with drugs, alcohol, unemployment, mental illness, and domestic violence.
While the natural reflex may be to remove children from neglectful parents, Judge Sakai points out that they are often repeat offenders and will return to the Children's Court. To prevent this cycle from continuing, he holds roundtable meetings with parents to help them address personal problems, take care of their children, and "step up."
Guest:
- Judge Peter Sakai, 225th District Court Judge for the "Children's Court"