2025 Legendary Partners

 

 

Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) of Kentucky recognized 18 men and women today in the capitol rotunda for their invaluable work with child victims of abuse. As part of the Legendary Partners ceremony, award recipients were celebrated among fellow colleagues, elected officials, partners and supporters at the event. 

“We are honored to name these individuals as our Legendary Partners of 2025,” said Caroline Ruschell, CEO of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky. “Each and every one of them have inspired their communities across Kentucky by going above and beyond to ensure children who are victims of abuse receive the care they need and deserve.” 

This year’s Legendary Partners are: 

Honorable Clayton D. Adams - Hopkinsville, Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center 

Sergeant Mark Heyungs  – Bowling Green, Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center 

Honorable Christopher L. Kelley – Maysville, Buffalo Trace Children’s Advocacy Center 

Freda Walters – Pikeville, Judi’s Place for Kids 

Jenny McComas - Florence, Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center 

Senator Chris McDaniel - Children’s Advocacy Center Kentucky 

Detective Lieutenant Zach Miller - Hazard, Care Cottage – Kentucky River Child Advocacy Center 

Detective Jay Picard  – Jamestown, Lake Cumberland Children’s Advocacy Center 

Sergeant John Preston – Henderson, Children’s Advocacy Center of Green River District  

Assistant Chief Ian Renfrow  – Elizabethtown, Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services 

Detective Michelle Rusch - Louisville, Family & Children’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center 

Grace E. Stewart - Paducah, Lotus Children’s Advocacy & Sexual Violence Resource Center 

Ashley Taylor & Elbert Riley - London, Cumberland Valley Children’s Advocacy Center 

First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney 14th Judicial Circuit Mary Courtney Tobin - Lexington, Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass 

Detective Jeff Kelley & Detective Eric Homan  - Ashland, Hope’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center 

Detective Sergeant Robert Workman – Morehead, Gateway Children’s Advocacy Center 

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky is the statewide coalition leading the movement to help every child impacted by abuse. Serving every geographic area in the state, Kentucky’s 15 Children’s Advocacy Centers provide direct forensic and supportive services to children and non-offending caregivers impacted by child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other forms of maltreatment. CACs streamline the systemic response to child abuse by offering forensic interviews, victim support, advocacy, medical evaluations, and mental health services at a single child-friendly location.  

This year’s Legendary Partners Ceremony helps to mark the 25th anniversary of CACs serving Kentucky’s children.