Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA: Jonathan Hatami, a deputy district attorney and child abuse prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, hosted a child abuse awareness picnic Saturday afternoon, Apr. 15, at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in the city of Lancaster. Attending the picnic were families of child abuse victims that lost their lives, such as 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez and 10-year-old Anthony Avalos.

Hatami spoke passionately to Key News Network at the location about the yearly picnic. Hatami feels the attention to child abuse should be every day – not just one day, not just one month, but every single day. Many families attend the yearly picnic that have lost loved ones due to criminal acts.

The picnic shows support for the Antelope Valley community, the victims, family members, survivors and all the children of the community, said Hatami, who also brought his wife and children to the picnic.

Key News Network asked Hatami how cases like Gabriel Fernandez, where the boy succumbed to repeated physical abuse, affects him. Hatami said he handles a lot of real serious cases and they do affect him. He said he is close to Gabriel’s family and sees them a lot.

“Part of being a good prosecutor is also being a person and just reaching out to individuals and try to show individuals that I’m more than just a prosecutor,”said Hatami. He feels Gabriel’s case not only resonated throughout Antelope Valley but also throughout the United States due in part to a documentary regarding the case. Hatami feels a lot of people let Gabriel down and how important it is to say something when you see something.

Hatami spoke of many resources to contact as well as police regarding child abuse during his interview with Key News Network.

He did make an interesting and important point, however, from his experience regarding how children feel.

“Most children don’t want somebody arrested, they just want the violence to stop, said Hatami. “They just want somebody to stop hurting them.”

Assembly Member Tom Lackey from the 34th Assembly District, was honored to be at the picnic and felt people there were the most adversely impacted by policy that isn’t where it needs to be. “It needs to be in support of those who have lost loved ones … even more importantly, those who are in the foster care system now,” said Lackey. “It’s time that we … come collaboratively together to protect our most valuable resource – our children.”

“We need less casualties, and we need more successful outcomes,”added Lackey. He also stated that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) needs help. They also need help in the form of public policy, Lackey said.

“Public policy right now is not where it needs to be,”said Lackey. “I have legislation to try and help that become more successful giving them the tools they deserve.”

Lackey was supportive of preventive measures than dealing with a tragedy afterwards.

The community support the families received Saturday appeared to make a positive impact on their lives in the sense that they are not alone in their life-long grief and most importantly, that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

Every April is National Child Abuse Prevention month to highlight and recognize the importance of families and communities working together to help prevent child abuse. A helpful resource guide can be found by clicking here.

Anthony Cheval, Video Journalist / KNN

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