By JAMES WIDE
Deputy Director, Communications, Indiana Department of Child Services

Today, the Indiana Department of Child Services released the state’s latest child fatality report. DCS reviewed 286 child deaths from state fiscal year 2013, with varying causes that included drownings, gunshot wounds, drug overdoses and beatings.

The report detailed the 49 child deaths that directly resulted from abuse or neglect. DCS had prior history with seven of the children. As compared to previous years, there was an increase in the number of children that died due to a lack of supervision.

Most notably, children who were not supervised around bath tubs, pools and natural waterways.

The report shows a continuing pattern of children one year or younger as the primary victim, as well as one or more significant stress factors for the perpetrators such as unemployment, low income, substance abuse or domestic violence.

In some cases, multiple stress factors were present in a single home.

“The fact this report is necessary is a tragedy,” said Mary Beth Bonaventura, director, Indiana Department of Child Services.  “Although this report is about innocent lives cut short by the careless and neglectful actions of adults, the report is necessary for us as a community to do better. At DCS, we take this report very seriously, and will use it to help us improve our services to Hoosier children and families. We will continue to collaborate with local child advocates to address the continuing pattern of multiple stress factors that lead to child fatalities, with an increased effort in prevention. As we approach the summer months, it is important to re-emphasize water safety and to never leave a child unattended in a hot car, never.”

Of the children who died from abuse, 55 percent were one year of age or younger. Of the neglect deaths, 58 percent of the children were one year of age or younger as well.

“Our infants and toddlers are the most vulnerable of all our children,” said Bonaventura. “And smaller children take a lot of supervision, care and patience — which may be difficult if someone has low or poor parenting skills, or is dealing with multiple stress factors.”

Bonaventura added this is an issue that DCS cannot handle alone, and reminds all Hoosiers to call the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 800-5556, if they suspect any child is being abused or neglected.

A copy of the full SFY 2013 fatality report specific to child abuse and neglect can be found at: http://www.in.gov/dcs/files/FatalitySFY2013.pdf.