13th circuit wins award for timely child-case hearings

Perhaps one of the most persistent complaints about America's justice system is the amount of time it takes for the courts to hear a case, but when it comes to child abuse and neglect hearings, that is not a problem that plagues Missouri's 13th circuit.

Family Court Administrative Judge Leslie Schneider accepted the Supreme Court's Permanency Award, issued to circuits for "successfully holding timely hearings in child abuse and neglect cases (regarding) children removed from their homes" on behalf of the circuit Tuesday.

This marks the fourth time Boone and Callaway counties' judicial circuit has taken home the prestigious award. State Supreme Court judge Zel M. Fischer presented the award to Schneider in a ceremony at the Callaway County Courthouse.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.