WISCONSIN — Communities across Wisconsin and the children who live in them are forced to come to terms with tragedy this week, both after the discovery of missing 10-year-old Lily Peters' body in Chippewa Falls on Monday and the death of 13-year-old Shanaria Wilson, who was shot and killed in front her Milwaukee home on Sunday.
"Try to always be honest with the kids, thinking about what you fear versus what you know," Gina Krueger, the executive director of Chippewa Falls-based counseling group REALiving, said. "It's so much better to talk about the facts and talk about the truth of it— talk about what you know instead of what you fear."
While investigations into both cases continued on Tuesday night, Krueger said focusing on what people actually know about either child's death should help to alleviate kids' fears tied to the tragedies.
"Try to refrain from speculation because that's what makes kids worry more," Krueger added.
Watch the entire interview above.