It is a problem that often happens behind closed doors. But, this month, the issue of child abuse is coming to the forefront.
Police say it happens every day.
"Unfortunately our guys stay pretty busy," Grand Island Police Sergeant Dave Vitera said.
It is also the focus of April, deemed Child Abuse Prevention month.
That is a topic that touches close to home for Grand Island.
"Anger, frustration, other emotions play into it, and it's just a bad combination," Vitera said.
It is a combination that could leave a child injured or worse, like Diana Molina.
Two-year-old Molina was a victim a abuse. She died of injuries sustained from a brutal beating in 2003.
Courts determined that beating was issued by her own father.
Grand Island's Association for Child Abuse Prevention president Heather Ford Cline said April serves as a time to educate and encourage people to report suspected abuse that could prevent situations like Molina's.
"It is required by state law that if you do see child abuse you are to report it," she said.
While the abuse may leave cuts or bruises, Vitera said the causes are not always so obvious.
"[There are] complaints of parents using and not caring for their children," he said.
Vitera said there is a fine line between discipline and abuse.
