Columbus, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio children's advocacy group says it's seeing evidence that a faltering economy has brought an increase in child neglect and abuse.
A statewide survey released Wednesday by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio found that reports of abuse and neglect topped 100,000 in 2007, up 14 percent from 2005.
Association spokesman Greg Kapcar says more recent numbers would probably show an even sharper increase, since Ohio's unemployment rate has risen to its current 9.4 percent from 5.6 percent in 2007.
The group is urging lawmakers to restore $62 million in federal welfare money to the state's two-year budget to help local children service agencies respond to increasing demand.
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