District Attorney Michael Parker dedicated the new Stanly County Children’s Room today at the Stanly County Courthouse during an Open House in the District Attorney’s Office.  The Children’s Room is in the District Attorney’s Office and is designed to reduce the anxiety of children who have to come to the courthouse as victims or witnesses. 

            During the ceremony, District Attorney Parker said the room was the culmination of a three year dream, “When we moved into these new offices, one room was set aside for the children.  From 2006 until today, we have slowly accumulated the pieces for the room, but it was not until the Stanly County Arts Guild and Falling Rivers Art Gallery got involved that the project came to life.” 

            The room is approximately 10 x 20 feet long and contains colorful child size furniture, bookcases, toys, games and a black board.  Lighting comes from two touchiere lamps anchored to the wall to prevent little hands from pulling them down.  The highlight of the room is the complete 360 degree jungle mural containing monkeys, lions, elephants, giraffes and other animals.  Beneath the chalkboard is a small toy box containing stuff animals, cars and toy trucks.  In the corner stands a bamboo tree with its own monkey in the branches. 

            Parker indicated that the children’s room will serve four main purposes:

1. Children who are victims of crime can be put at ease during pre-trial interviews by the prosecutors handling their cases. 
2. Many cases result in multi-day trials.  This room will give children involved in the case a place to relax and wait for their parents during the trial. 
3. In these hard economic times, parents who are victims or witnesses of crime and cannot find child care long enough to even meet with the prosecutor can use the room to keep their children entertained during their pre-trial interview; and,
4. The room will not be limited to only criminal cases.  Parker indicated that he intended to make the room available to the District Court Judges and attorneys for their use during civil proceedings that require the attendance of children. 

This room would not have been possible without the help of many people.  Special thanks go to the artists and painters who donated their time and talents, including: 

• The Stanly County Arts Guild
• Falling Rivers Art Gallery
• Ms. Susan Engels
• Mr. Matt Steed
• Ms. Sandra Stoker
• Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Jaclyn Layman

            Thanks also go to those who donated items or expertises for the room, these people include: 

• Mr. and Mrs. Roy and Gloria McClintic
• Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Jann Lowder
• Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Laura Rodgers
• Mr. and Mrs. Chad and Ginger Efird
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Carol Parker
• Detective Scott Williams
• Chairman Tony Dennis and the Stanly County Commissioners
• Mr. Jerry Morton and the facility staff.  

            On hand for the event were Ms. Peg Dorer,  Executive Director of the Conference of District Attorneys in Raleigh,  Ms. Laura Parker (no relation to the District Attorney), Sexual Assault Resource Prosecutor for the Conference of District Attorneys, Ms. Amy Calloway of Stanly County’s Butterfly House, Mr. Tony Dennis, Chairman of the Stanly County Commissioners, Mr. Sherrill Smith, Stanly County Commissioner and many others. 

            In concluding the ceremony, District Attorney Parker presented the room to Chairman Tony Dennis of the Stanly County Commissioners and dedicated the room “to the children of Stanly County, in the hope that they will never need it.”