Harrisburg, Pa. (April 1, 2026) – Pa Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the state’s leader in child abuse prevention, today awarded Limerick Detective Ernie Morris with the PA Blue Ribbon Champion for Safe Kids (BRCSK) Award. This award is given to four individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support and protect Pennsylvania’s children. Pictures, videos, interviews and short b-roll clips from today’s flag planting and award ceremony can be found here.

Detective Morris began his law enforcement career in 1997 with the Limerick Township Police Department, where he has spent nearly three decades protecting children and vulnerable populations. He currently serves as the department’s Special Victims Investigator, leading investigations involving child abuse, juvenile offenses, and sexual assaults. Morris is also cross-sworn as a Task Force Officer with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, assigned to the Child Exploitation Unit in the Philadelphia Field Office, where he works collaboratively with federal, state, and local partners to safeguard children and support victims.

Throughout his career, Detective Morris has been deeply committed to trauma-informed, victim-centered practices and interagency collaboration. As an original multidisciplinary team member with Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County, he has helped strengthen coordinated responses to child abuse while reducing additional trauma to child victims. His dedication to protecting children and supporting families has earned recognition from numerous federal, state, and local agencies.

“Detective Morris exemplifies the very spirit of the PA Blue Ribbon Champion for Safe Kids award,” said Angela Liddle, President and CEO of PFSA. “Through his dedicated service with the Limerick Police Department, Detective Morris has made a lasting impact on countless children and families. His commitment to thorough investigations, victim-centered practices, and collaboration with community partners demonstrates what it truly means to protect and advocate for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents.” 

In honor of this accomplishment, PFSA and Laval Miller-Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Office of Children, Youth & Families for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services recognized Morris in front of a packed audience of lawmakers, members of the media, child advocates, and students in the Capitol Rotunda. 

PFSA was joined by Deputy Secretary Miller-Wilson, Chief Deputy Attorney General Angela Sperrazza, and local and state elected officials during today’s ceremony, which kicks off National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each year, PFSA, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, hosts activities and events throughout the Commonwealth to increase awareness about the need for individuals to learn about the warning signs of abuse and neglect.

Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ most recent Annual Child Protective Services Report shows there were 4,756 confirmed cases of child abuse statewide, including 60 fatalities and 82 near-fatalities.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call Childline at 1-800-832-0313 or visit https://dhs.pa.gov/reportabuse.

Media Contact: Thom Casey, [email protected], (717) 514-5759

###

About Pa Family Support Alliance

Pa Family Support Alliance, in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, prevents child abuse and protects children from harm by helping parents learn positive parenting techniques, educating professionals and volunteers who work with children to recognize and report child abuse, and helping community members learn how they can play a positive role in keeping children safe. To learn more about our programs, schedule a training, or donate, please visit pafsa.org, or call 800-448-4906.