05/24/2026
When we think about child abuse, we tend to picture older children. The reality is far more heartbreaking. The most vulnerable victims of child abuse and neglect in America are babies.
According to federal data, children under the age of one have the highest rate of abuse fatalities of any age group. In fact, 44 percent of all child fatalities from abuse or neglect involve children under one year old.
These are not children who can speak up. They cannot tell a teacher what is happening at home. They cannot call for help. They cannot run. They are entirely, completely, and absolutely dependent on the adults around them. And for some of them, those adults are the very source of the danger.
Here in Texas, our own state data shows that more than 60 percent of confirmed child abuse fatalities involved children too young for school, too young for anyone outside the home to see them regularly. Too young to be found in time.
We believe that every child is knit together by God, known before they are born, precious and purposed. The same God who said "Let the little children come to me" sees every one of these babies, and we believe He needs us to be the hands and feet to care for them.
While some are called to work in home visiting programs or infant welfare organizations, others are called to share their treasure so these programs can be funded. That’s what we do. We raise money at Ribs & 'Ritas each year so we can financially support organizations that help those who can’t help themselves. That is who we fight for.
We’re gathering at the Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas on June 13th. We’ll be asking people to care about children they will never meet, whose names they will never know. Because God knows their names, and that is enough.
Heather and Clint Swindall
