State report: 5 region children died of abuse, neglect injuries in a year

INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana was home to five of Indiana's 40 children who died of abuse or neglect between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, a state report released Monday shows.

Woman celebrates second chance at life

PORTAGE | One by one, Patti Lay gave each person involved in saving her life a tight hug.

DCS panel endorses changes to child abuse hotline

INDIANAPOLIS | A legislative panel on Tuesday recommended changing Indiana's centralized child abuse hotline by having county-level case managers decide whether to investigate claims of abuse. Though that change likely won't happen until at least 2014.

EDITORIAL: Payne's final reform for DCS

James Payne offered the necessary next reform for the Indiana Department of Child Services — by resigning from the agency he founded.

Indiana DCS director resigns over involvement in case

INDIANAPOLIS | The director of the Indiana Department of Child Services resigned Monday amid allegations he improperly intervened in a DCS neglect case involving his grandchildren.

State officials offer solution to meet mental health needs of children

INDIANAPOLIS | State officials unveiled a plan Monday hoping to ensure parents don't have to plead guilty to neglect in order to secure services for their children with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.

Impaired driving crackdown spawns 104 arrests, citations

PORTAGE | The Portage Police Department recently participated in a nationwide crackdown on impaired driving through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

DCS official: 'We have challenges'

INDIANAPOLIS | A top Indiana Department of Child Services official told state legislators Wednesday that concerns voiced by many people regarding the agency have been "very legitimate."

Indiana child services agency reverses some program cuts

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's child protection agency will restore some funding to programs cut by Indiana's 2011 budget reductions and is creating a new program to support older foster children.

Portage Police Officers honored by their peers

PORTAGE | Portage Police Officer Flora Akers-Ryan was the guest of honor at the 10th Annual District One Law Enforcement Council Officer Recognition Awards Friday.