KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office on Friday released its 2024 annual report, which shows significant increases in impaired-driving crashes, thefts, child abuse and domestic incidents. Reports of child abuse increased by 450% from 2023 to 2024, with 11 reported cases of child abuse in 2024 compared to two in 2023. Family devastated after expectant mother and fiancé shot to death The sheriff’s office also responded to 58 reports of domestic violence in 2024 compared to 13 in 2023. That’s a 346% increase. The number of thefts jumped from 56 in 2023 to 78 in 2024—an increase of nearly 40%. The number of cars stolen in Clay County also increased by 40%, with 35 cars reported stolen in 2024 compared to 25 in 2023. DWI crashes increased by 69%, with 22 impaired-driving crashes in 2024 compared to 13 in 2023. However, the sheriff’s office reported a 15.5% decrease in DWI arrests. The number of overall crashes jumped 8% – 299 crashes in 2024 versus 276 in 2023. According to the report, 23 sex offenders failed to register in 2024. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) responded to only 21 mental health crises in 2024; in 2023, the CIT responded to 41 mental health crises. That means there was a nearly 50% decrease in crisis interventions in 2024. Violence on the rise at Clay County detention centers The 2024 annual report also revealed a rise in violence at county detention centers, impacting inmates and staff. The number of inmates booked in Clay County jumped from 4,360 in 2023 to 5,144 in 2024—an 18% increase. However, assaults on staff increased by 43%, with 53 staff members assaulted in 2024. Inmate-on-inmate assaults also increased by a whopping 181%, according to the report. You can view the county’s 2024 annual report here. You can find the 2023 annual report here. If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255. Kansas City residents can find local mental health resources here. — If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788. Missouri residents can find local shelters and domestic violence resources on the Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s website. Kansas and Missouri residents can find additional resources here. ...read more read less