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Statistics on Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Child fatalities are the most tragic consequence of maltreatment. During 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died from abuse or neglect in the United States—a rate of 2.33 deaths per 100,000 children. Use the following resources to find additional information on the prevalence of child fatalities.
Fatalities (PDF - 4140 KB)
Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011)
In Child Maltreatment 2010
Presents National and State data on child abuse and neglect fatalities, including information on age and sex, race and ethnicity, perpetrator relationship, maltreatment types, and more.
Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities 2010: Statistics and Interventions | |
Series Title: | Numbers and Trends |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 465KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2012 - 10 pages |
Presents statistics and information on child fatalities due to abuse and neglect in the United States during Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2010 as compiled and reported in Child Maltreatment 2010,. This summary of national and State data includes information on fatalities due to abuse and neglect, child and perpetrator characteristics, and communities' responses to child fatalities. |
National data
Child Maltreatment Fatalities in Children Under 5: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System
Klevens & Leeb
Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal, 34(4), 2010
View Abstract
Describes the distribution of child maltreatment fatalities of children under 5 by age, sex, race/ethnicity, type of maltreatment, and relationship to alleged perpetrator.
Child Mortality Data
National Center for Child Death Review
Presents a national overview of child mortality data as well as breakdown of data from all 50 States and the District of Columbia.
Fatal Injuries Among Children by Race and Ethnicity: United States, 1999-2002
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2007)
Summarizes death rates from both unintentional and intentional injury during 1999-2002 for children by race/ethnicity and also compares the current racial/ethnic disparity in injury rates with previous years' rates.
Fatalities Due to Child Abuse and Neglect
American Humane Association (2004)
Offers a factsheet addressing the national scope of the problem.
Pattern of Injury in Child Fatalities Resulting From Child Abuse
Ross, Abel, & Radisch
Forensic Science International, 188(1), 2009
View Abstract
Uses a scientific, physiological framework to examine the prevalence of fractures before and after death in cases from the Carolinas. Results showed that most deaths resulted from face and skull fractures, and that infants 9 months old and younger accounted for 50 percent of deaths.
Public Health Surveillance of Fatal Child Maltreatment: Analysis of Three State Programs
Schnitzer, Covington, Wirtz, Verhoek-Oftedahl, & Palusci
American Journal of Public Health, 98(2), 2008
View Abstract
Describes approaches to surveillance of fatal child maltreatment in California, Michigan, and Rhode Island, and identifies options for improving case ascertainment.
We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in America (PDF - 1290 KB)
Every Child Matters Education Fund (2009)
Provides statistics by State on the number of deaths caused by abuse and neglect. The report also discusses the problem of underreporting and the higher rates of fatalities in the United States versus other developed countries.
International data
Analysing Child Deaths and Serious Injury Through Abuse and Neglect: What Can We Learn?: A Biennial Analysis of Serious Case Reviews 2003-2005 (PDF - 863 KB)
Brandon, Belderson, Warren, Howe, Gardner, & Dodsworth et al. (2008)
Analyzes serious cases over the past 2 years in Great Britain to determine trends and themes. The study includes information about methodology, demographics, and findings. Findings include information about impact of abuse of the child's health, child age, and parental characteristics.
Fatal Child Abuse
Irenyi & Horsfall (2008)
Provides statistics on child fatalities due to child abuse and neglect in the United States and Australia. The report also addresses child death review systems.
Injuries and Death of Children at the Hands of Their Parents (PDF - 124 KB)
Trocmé, Lajoie, Fallon, & Felstiner (2007)
Describes rates and national estimates of physical harm in Canada.
The Relation Between Child Death and Child Maltreatment
Jenny & Isaac
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 91(3), 2006
Summarizes the prevalence of child fatalities on both the national and international level. The article addresses neonaticide, infanticide, sudden unexpected deaths in infancy, accidental infant suffocation and asphyxia, investigation protocols, and child death review programs.
State and local examples
Analysis of Child Fatalities in the New York City Shelter System, 2004-2006 (PDF - 135 KB)
Tumarkin, Browne, & Woltman (2007)
Provides background information on child fatality reports and the incidence of fatalities in the shelter system. Statistics address gender, age, manner of death, previous child welfare involvement, and more.
Child Abuse-Related Homicides in New Mexico: A 6-Year Retrospective Review (PDF - 157 KB)
Lee & Lathrop
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(1), 2010
Reviews child abuse-related deaths in New Mexico to examine cause of death, perpetrator characteristics, parental substance use or history of abuse, and more.
Child Deaths From Abuse and Neglect: Accurate Data, Public Disclosure Needed (PDF - 325 KB)
Grimm
Youth Law News, 28(1), 2007
Discusses efforts in California and on a national level to collect data on child abuse fatalities and the limitations of the data.
Child Fatalities 2007: Statistics, Analyses, and Recommendations (PDF - 381 KB)
D.C. Child and Family Services Agency, Quality Improvement Division (2009)
Discusses trends, findings, and recommendations on fatalities of children who had contact with the District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency from 2002 to 2007.
Dangerous Mistakes: Analysis of ACS Corrective Actions Involving Child Fatalities in 2005 (PDF - 110 KB)
Tumarkin, Browne, Woltman, & Mazzocchi (2007)
Examines child fatalities investigated by the New York State Administration for Children's Services (ACS), including the circumstances of the death and an analysis of mistakes made during the investigation.
New York City Child Fatality Report: 2010 Report From the City Child Fatality Review Team (PDF - 4209 KB)
New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2010)
Reviews data from 2001 to 2008 to examine disparities in injury-related deaths of children ages 1-12, among social and economic groups. The article also provides recommendations for preventing child deaths.
Pennsylvania 2010 Child Death Review Annual Report: Deaths Reviewed in 2009 (PDF - 7440 KB)
Pennsylvania Department of Health & Pennsylvania Child Death Review Team (2010)
Reviews child deaths from birth through age 21 during 2006 to 2009.