Abril 21 marks the date of the 8th annual Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5k Color Run/Walk in Normal, Illinois. El año pasado, cerca de 109 runners and walkers came out to celebrate the lives of Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg and to raise funds for the Children’s Home & Aid Central Region Centro de visitas familiares in McLean County. The Family Visitation Center provides a safe, child-friendly site for supervised visitation and exchanges for families experiencing domestic violence, high-conflict divorce, violencia en el noviazgo, sexual assault and stalking.
The Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5k Color Run/Walk is dedicated to young Jack and Duncan Leichtenberg, whose lives ended tragically and too soon. All proceeds, incluido 100% of the registration fee, go directly to the Children’s Home & Aid Family Visitation Center in Jack and Duncan’s memory, to help keep children and families safe.
Duncan y Jack, edades nueve y siete, were victims of child abuse and a faulty system that ultimately cost them their lives. The boys were having supervised visits with their father in a safe and secured environment of the Family Visitation Center. Sin embargo, La supervisión de las visitas terminó después de que el juez del caso decidió que las visitas del padre ya no necesitaban ser supervisadas.. This decision was based on a psychiatrist’s report stating the father was not a threat to himself or his children. In March of 2009 Los niños desaparecieron después de que su padre los recogiera para visitarlos.. Three weeks later their bodies were found, along with their father’s. He had taken the boys’ lives and then his own.
la madre de los chicos, amy, has held this race every year since 2011, in memory of Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg and in celebration of their lives. To date, the race has raised more than $62,713 en apoyo al Hogar de Niños & Ayuda. We invite you to join us and take steps to end child abuse. Challenge your family, friends and co-workers to a 5K run or 1 mile walk at Fairview Park in Normal, Illinois. Bring the whole family — strollers and dogs are welcome, too!