Since opening in August 2002, the James M. Barrie Center for Children, Inc. has conducted over 5,700 specialized forensic interviews of children. More than 8,700 family members in Etowah County have received services through our center. The Barrie Center began in a small house in East Gadsden with the previous District Attorney, James Hedgespeth, leading the effort to create a multi-disciplinary team to investigate child abuse cases. This house was owned by the City of Gadsden and became known as the “Barrie Center.” The name originated from James Barrie who was the author of Peter Pan with the intention that childhood should be magical, fun and full of wonder, however, the children served often do not have that experience.
After many years of fundraising by the Board of Directors, the Barrie Center had the opportunity to expand their services in a new location. The Board of Directors was instrumental in purchasing the much larger facility at 605 S. 4th Street which opened its doors November 1, 2017.
