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Children Coping With Recent Gun Violence

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Shauntrell Darling is one of the many mothers in South Florida these days confronting bullets. "It's a shame how little children can't be little children.

Two weeks ago, her 9-year old son took a bullet in the cheek as he slept in his bed at 3:00a.m.

"They are always behind me. They don't want to sleep in a bed," Darling told CBS4's David Sutta. "I can't leave them. They constantly talk about it."

Tuesday night another child was shot in Oak Grove Park during an armed Robbery. The stray bullet hit the  9-year-old  girl in her leg.

And just last week 10-year old Aaron Vu was shot as armed robbers fled his family owned nail salon. Vu died.

"Today is someone else. Tomorrow it could be you or someone close to you. No one picks to be a victim. You just become one," said Sgt. Carlos Castellanos with Miami Police Homicide

Miami Police admitted today they are seeing an uptick on children falling victim to gun violence. And it has become increasingly difficult to deal with because the community won't speak up.

"I understand you may be scared or you may be part of this "no snitch" policy but you have to understand these are children. These are not adults. They didn't cause this on themselves," explained Detective Ezra Washington, also with Miami Police Homicide.

According to Sgt. Castellanos, "Part of the dialogue between the community and us is there must be trust. Trust in terms of us being able to protect those who come forward and took the bold step to stand up to these thugs for lack of a better word."

Meanwhile for children and parents paralyzed by the recent headlines. Child Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober recommends talking about it. If your kids aren't speaking up pay closer attention.

"Kids have trouble verbalizing their feelings so they will act out. You'll see kids having more stomach aches or having fights at school," explained Bober. "That's because they don't have the mental ability to process those feelings to say 'hey I'm hurting.' Or 'hey I need help' so their words come out through action."

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