For months, an 11-year-old boy in Moab grew thinner and more withdrawn until a series of reports from community members brought him the support he needed and led to multiple arrests.
That moment—when concern turns into action—is where Utah’s child-protection system is meant to begin, and where advocates say ordinary community members play a decisive role.
The boy was removed from a home in late 2025 and three Moab residents were arrested on child torture charges.
“This is a disturbing case of severe abuse and torture of a child,” said Moab Police Chief Lex Bell. “Literally the minute we received the arrest warrants for these suspects, we suited up, drove to their home, and arrested them.”
The case drew statewide attention for its severity, but for Grand County residents, it also raised urgent questions about how such harm can go on in our community—and what neighbors, teachers, and community members can do when something doesn’t feel right.
For Andrea Noyes, director of the Children’s Justice Center of Grand County, the case highlights how the work begins long before arrests are made.
Children’s Justice Centers are mandated by Utah law as part of the child abuse investigation process, and in 2025 alone, the Grand County’s center opened 128 new cases, with most concerning child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, and domestic violence.
“The number 128 by itself might not seem like a lot,” Noyes said, “but when you place it in the context, that’s more kids than are enrolled in the entire kindergarten class.”
She said the center is seeing an average of about three new children each week. “It’s a lot of kids.”
Today, when someone reports suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, the case may be referred to the center.
For each child, she said, the Children’s Justice Center coordinates services like forensic interviews, medical exams, trauma screening, mental health referrals, and ongoing support—often following families through the entire court process.
“Our kids aren’t brought into an interrogation room,” Noyes said. “They’re brought into a home-like facility. They get snacks. They get to talk to somebody who’s trained to talk to children about things that may or may not have happened.”
Those conversations are conducted by specially trained forensic interviewers using research-backed methods. Interviews are recorded so children do not have to repeatedly retell their experiences to multiple adults, a process Noyes said can intensify trauma.
“Our kiddos only have to tell their story one time,” she said. “They don’t have to keep going over and over what happened.”
One of the most common misconceptions Noyes encounters is the belief that reporting suspected abuse automatically leads to children being removed from their homes. In reality, she said, removal is rare and used only when a child is in immediate danger.
“Removal is the absolute last resort,” she said. “DCFS has so many tools they can use to help families before it ever gets to that point.” Those tools can include food assistance, counseling, parenting support, or connections to other community resources meant to reduce stress and instability.
Another major barrier to reporting, especially in a small town, is fear of being wrong or causing harm by getting involved. Noyes stressed that community members are not responsible for determining whether abuse is occurring.
“If somebody has a concern, they can say, ‘I’m seeing this, and I don’t know what it means,’” said Noyes. “There’s a team of professionals whose job it is to figure out what’s going on.”
Reports can be made anonymously through DCFS or law enforcement, and the agencies are required to cross-report so concerns raised through one channel are shared with the other. Without that initial report, Noyes said, the Children’s Justice Center cannot intervene.
“Cases can only come to the Children’s Justice Center if somebody makes a report,” she said. “Even if I personally suspect something is happening, we can’t bring a child in unless it comes through DCFS or law enforcement.”
Once a child enters the center, the focus shifts to both immediate safety and long-term healing. Children are screened for trauma and connected with mental health services tailored to their needs, often the same day.
“We’re a first touch for these kids,” Noyes said. “If nobody’s checking in on trauma, it doesn’t just go away.”
While severe cases like the recent Moab arrest are rare, Noyes said the volume of cases handled by the center shows how often children need help—sometimes for reasons that are less visible than extreme abuse.
Warning signs can include sudden or unexplained weight loss, untreated injuries, extreme isolation, drastic behavior changes, or children regularly appearing hungry or unwell.
“Taking that extra second to notice is huge,” she said. “We’re all busy, but kids need people who are paying attention.”
Prevention, she added, also happens long before a report is ever made: one of the strongest protective factors for children is having another trusted adult in their lives, and programs such as Grand Area Mentoring and Beacon Afterschool provide consistent, supportive relationships for children outside the home.
“Our kids just need good people who show up for them,” Noyes said. “People who believe in them, who see them, who check in.”
For Noyes, who came to the role after working in law enforcement and social work, the work is deeply personal.
“I see the faces behind these stories,” she said. “I know what a difference it makes when people step in and care.”
She hopes the attention on the Moab case leads to understanding, not just outrage.
“If anything good can come from something this awful story,” she said, “it’s helping people understand that the system only works if we use it.”
How to report concerns in Grand County
Residents can report suspected child abuse or neglect by contacting Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services at 1-855-323-3237 or by calling local law enforcement. Reports can be made anonymously, and callers are not required to prove abuse—only to share concerns.
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