WPMT

Community leaders gather Thursday night in York County to talk about reducing child abuse. York County has one of the highest child abuse rates in the state.

The meeting, hosted by YorkCounts, focused on the death of 2-year-old Darisabel Baez. The toddler was beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend, Harve Johnson. The murder happened in April 2008. The crime captured the attention of the community.

"It kills me, it shouldn't have happened, it should never have happened and you just wonder why there isn't something that could have prevented it," said Ina Alessi of York.

About 250 people showed up at the meeting. They discussed some of the triggers and signs of child abuse.

"We need to pay attention to the children who live beside us and across the street from us and if something doesn't seem right, that means it is not right," said Angela Liddle, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance.

Johnson was sentenced to death for the murder of Darisabel.