Child Abuse: The Case Of Mary Ellen

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The case of Mary Ellen, an abused child in the late 1800s, exposed a need for the protection of children from abuse. Etta Wheeler was a friendly visitor to the foster parents of Mary Ellen where she saw the evidence of abuse being inflicted on the young girl. There were no laws in place at that time to protect children, but there were laws now for animals since 1866. Consequently, Etta sought out Henry Bergh and after taking the case to court helped to form the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Laws to protect animals from abuse came before those to protect children. Henry Bergh was a champion for both.
The article illustrates how the NYSPCC came to fruition. I do find citations on the page so I do consider it

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