Thirteen judicial circuits, including those serving Northwest Missouri, were recently recognized by the Missouri Supreme Court for success in holding child abuse hearings.

The recognition honors court systems that have held timely hearings during fiscal year 2008 in child abuse and neglect cases. The cases deal with children removed from their homes who are to be reunited with their families or are to be quickly placed in another permanent home.

The 4th Judicial Circuit — which covers Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties — received a Supreme Court Permanency Award for the third consecutive year. The circuit held 100 percent of the hearings in child abuse and neglect cases in a timely manner.

Juvenile Officer Janet Warner, Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer Mark Lindsay and Deputy Juvenile Officer Rhonda Haight of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Platte County also received the permanency award. The circuit also earned the award in 2006.

Among 24 circuits that conducted at least 95 percent of hearings within the time guidelines were the 3rd, which includes Grundy, Harrison and Mercer counties; the 5th, which encompasses Buchanan and Andrew counties; and the 43rd, which covers Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb and Livingston counties.