Welcome
Thank you to all for a wonderful conference this year. To see a video clip of Elizabeth Smart and her interview with WBAL, click here.
Cherish the Child is honored to announce that our 2012 Keynote Speaker will be... Elizabeth Smart! 
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Elizabeth was abducted on June 5, 2002 and her captors had controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth back to her family on March 12, 2003 after being held prisoner for 9 months. Through this traumatic experience Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs and National legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which lead to conviction. Elizabeth is currently involved in the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation”, and she has helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions. Elizabeth is also a News Correspondent for ABC News. Elizabeth’s example and life now is a daily demonstration that there really is life after a tragic event. Her speech not only tells her story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity and not allowing your past to dictate your life's future.
We Hope you will join us for this very special presentation.
Cherish the Child is Harford County's Annual Child Protection Awareness Symposium. It is designed for professionals, paraprofessionals and any community members who are interested in the protection of our children. Cherish the Child seeks to educate, inform and support those individuals who devote their time and talents to keeping children safe.
