LOCAL

Blue ribbons placed for child abuse prevention

SHAWN HARDY
Bob Spessard tied blue ribbons around parking meters and poles in downtown Greencastle Tuesday and Wednesday to raise awareness about child abuse. He and his wife, Michelle, founded Blue Ribbons 4 Justice following the death of their grandson in 2007. SHAWN HARDY/ECHO PILOT.

Blue Ribbons have been placed on parking meters and poles around Center Square and Baltimore Street to raise awareness about child abuse and its prevention.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the blue ribbons are an annual observance organized by Bob and Michelle Spessard, who founded Blue Ribbons 4 Justice following the death of their grandson.

Monday night, Greencastle Borough Council gave its annual approval for the ribbons.

The Spessards' 4 1/2-month-old grandson died on Jan. 6, 2007. Bob Spessard has previously explained how Justice, their son's child, was held by the ankles and swung like a baseball bat into a wall, suffering horrific injuries to his face and head. Justice's mother's boyfriend was convicted in his death in Washington County, Maryland.

Information about Blue Ribbons 4 Justice can be found at

301-992-6871

blueribbons4justice.com

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