Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
For children facing some of life’s toughest challenges, a small toy can bring a big moment of comfort. Since 2018, the Elmore County Juvenile Court has done just that through its toy closet program, offering gifts and a little bit of joy to children involved in protective service cases.
Presiding Juvenile Judge Patrick Pinkston started the initiative by clearing a meeting room at the back of Courtroom 4, his primary courtroom at the time. He moved to Courtroom 3 in 2020, but the mission stayed the same: to provide comfort to children navigating stressful court proceedings.
“I decided years ago that we in the court system needed to do more to help abused and neglected children feel less fear and anxiety when attending court proceedings,” Pinkston said. “Having a friend in our service dog ‘Charlie,’ together with a toy, seemed to lessen the emotional weight and trauma that children often experience during protective service cases. What we hoped back then and believe now is that a gift of a toy, which the children select, helps build trust and signals that we really do care about them and their happiness both now and going forward.”
The toy closet was made possible by donations from attorneys, guardian ad litems, who are court-appointed individuals representing the best interests of children or incapacitated persons in legal proceedings, and Department of Human Resources (DHR) personnel. Early champions included Pinkston, along with Elmore County Attorneys Juliana Taylor, Clyde Bailey, and Kenny James. Michelle Wood, director of Elmore County DHR, also played a key role in supporting the program.
In April 2024, Pinkston became a circuit judge, holding both roles until May 2024, when Ben Baxley took over as the juvenile court judge. Pinkston soon handed the keys to the toy closet to Baxley, ensuring the program would continue under new leadership.
“For many of the young people who come through our court, a small gift can be a powerful reminder that their community cares about them,” Baxley said. “Because of these contributions, we are able to provide comfort, encouragement, and even a little joy during what can often be a difficult time.”
While primarily designed for children in dependency cases, the program also extends support to youth from other juvenile cases who demonstrate a commitment to changing their behavior, providing them with the choice of a toy, gift card, or other items.
The court itself does not solicit donations; instead, it provides space to house the toy closet and ensures items are distributed as needed. The program relies entirely on the generosity of the community, from local attorneys and service providers to civic organizations and individual donors.
The toy closet serves as a tangible reminder that the community cares, helping ease some of the fear and uncertainty children may feel when coming to court.
For more information or how to contribute, contact Markala Tobin, judicial assistant, at (334) 512-9677 or [email protected].
