Watchful Shepherd USA is an organization founded for the purpose of protecting children from family abuse. The national non-profit agency located in Peters Township is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Claudine Femiani is the President of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder with her late husband Joseph. Femiani relates that when growing up, her husband Joe was poor and suffered regular beatings. Joe vowed to try and do something to give children their rights to safety. According to Femiani, in 1992 they saw a news report about two sisters from Lubbock, Texas that witnessed their sister’s murder at the hand of their step-mother and after 20 years went to authorities to report the atrocities. Femiani says that was the moment that Watchful Shepherd was born. The organization places in-home devices monitored by authorities to dispatch help whenever the device is activated. They also now have a wearable device that when activated can track the exact location of the wearer or caregiver if that child’s well being is in danger. Watchful Shepherd USA works nationwide with child protective agencies in the placement of their devices. Watchful Shepherd takes pride in the fact that there have been no reported cases of child abuse in homes where a Watchful Shepherd unit has been implemented. If you happen to witness child abuse and need immediate help, contact the Childline tipline at 1-800-932-0131.