Franklin had 13% of advocacy center cases
RUSSELLVILLE — Andrea’s Arbor in Franklin County accounted for 13% of cases recorded in 2025 by Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center.
Andrea’s Arbor is a satellite branch of Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center in Florence, which serves children under the age of 19 in Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin and Lawrence counties who have experienced abuse, neglect or violence.
The Franklin County location is named for Andrea Gonzalez, who disappeared at age 5 in 1993. Two years later, her father, Paul Gonzalez, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while her stepmother pleaded guilty to child abuse. Andrea’s remains have never been recovered.
The center provides forensic interviews, medical examinations, trauma focused therapy, victim advocacy and coordination with law enforcement and other agencies at no cost to families.
In 2025, Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center reported 357 child victims received services compared to the 445 victims served in 2024.
Of the 357 child victims in 2025, around 46 were from Franklin County. In 2024, 53 of the 445 victims were from Franklin County (12%).
Chelsea Lawson, business development director for the Cramer center, clarified that while it may appear they served fewer children in 2025, there was not a significant decline. She said the lower total in 2025 was due to a change in how data was collected.
“Last year, we only counted victims who directly received treatment from the center,” she said.
Lauderdale County accounted for the largest share of cases at 40% in 2025 and 43% in 2024. Colbert County was the second highest at 27% in 2025 and 31% in 2024, followed by Lawrence County at 20% in 2025 and 14% in 2024.
Lawson said Lauderdale County’s higher numbers are likely tied to the center being based there and serving the largest population of children in the region. Of the four counties, Franklin County has the smallest population size.
According to the Cramer center’s annual reports, staff provided a total of 4,870 services in 2025, which was 57 less than the 4,972 total services reported in 2024.
In 2025, the 4,870 services provided included 357 forensic interviews, 37 medical exams, 685 therapy sessions, 970 victim advocacy and referral services, and 2,821 criminal justice system assistance services.
The 4,927 total services recorded in 2024 included 373 forensic interviews, 37 medical examinations, 787 therapy sessions, 969 victim advocacy and referral services, and 2,761 criminal justice system assistance services.
CONTRIBUTED/BRADY PETREE
Therapist Miranda Lorance stands by Andrea’s Arbor sign in Russellville.
Sexual abuse was the mostreportedformofabuse in 2025 and 2024. Physical abuse ranked second, followed by witnessing abuse or violence. Other reported abuses included exposure to pornography, emotional abuse, drug endangerment and neglect.
Girls accounted for most of the victims being served. Of the 357 children assisted in 2025, 256 were female and 101 were male. In 2024, 302 were female and 143 were male.
Lawson said the numbers are consistent with national trends.
“Most of the offenders are male and so naturally they’ll go towards the female versus the male,” Lawson said. “One in four girls and one in 13 boys is the national average, so we’re just in line with that.”
The age breakdown of victims shifted from the previous year. In 2025, children ages 12 to 18 represented the largest group of victims at 38%. Children of ages 7 to 11 accounted for 35%, while children of ages 6 and younger made up 27%.
That was a change from 2024, when children ages 7 to 12 represented the largest share of victims at 36%. Children ages 6 and younger accounted for 33%, while teenagers of ages 13 to 18 made up 31%.
