The Children’s Home and Teen Shelter

… A week before Christmas, 4 children were picked up in Dallas in front of a shopping center where they had been dropped off to panhandle. The epitome of Trafficking. They had been left alone all day scared, without food or water. The oldest was a 15-year-old girl and the youngest was a 1-year-old girl, in addition 2 boys ages 4 & 7. They were placed at The Children’s Aid Society in Wichita Falls because it is the only shelter that can keep large sibling sets together with diverse ages. While at the shelter, the children received clothing, medical screenings, counseling and parental training for the 15-year-old girl after it was revealed the 1-year-old girl was her child. It became evident they had never been in school. The three older children were enrolled in school and despite a language barrier, they are learning and thriving. They are communicating and able to advocate for their own needs. They will remain at the shelter until a relative or placement is available.