Warrenton Police Detective Justin Unger is one of two Missouri officers to receive the 2017 Champion for Children Award. The award was announced at the Midwest Justice for Children Conference in …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Warrenton Police Detective Justin Unger is one of two Missouri officers to receive the 2017 Champion for Children Award.
The award was announced at the Midwest Justice for Children Conference in Chesterfield Sept. 12-15.
It recognizes Unger’s “outstanding work investigating crimes against children,” Police Chief Larry Ellard said.
Unger’s nomination came from staff at The Child Center in Wentzville, one of the sponsors of the conference.
In their nomination letter, staff said Unger has been passionately working with their team to aid children who have been the victims of abuse and to hold perpetrators accountable.
In one recent case, a 9-year-old girl came to The Child Center after enduring “horrific” domestic abuse. Staff wrote that the girl was scared because her abuser told her she would go to jail if she ever told anyone. Unger took it upon himself to comfort her.
“He kneeled down, told her that he believed her, that she was not going to be arrested, and that he was there to fight for her,” the staff members recalled. “A smile that radiated happiness and relief spread across her face. She took a hesitant step toward Detective Unger, stopped, and . . . asked if she could give him a hug.”
The Child Center is an advocacy organization that brings together professionals from multiple disciplines to intervene in abusive situations and protect children. The Midwest Justice for Children Conference is an annual opportunity for child and family advocates to gather and receive training.
Detective Justin Unger, pictured at center, was given the Champion for Children Award during the Midwest Justice for Children Conference in Chesterfield Sept. 12-15. Submitted photo.
