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Child Fatality Prevalence

During 2004, an estimated 1,490 children died from abuse or neglect—a rate of 2.03 deaths per 100,000 children. The 2004 rate is comparable to the rate of 2.00 deaths per 100,000 children in the national population for 2003.

While most fatality data used to create these estimates were from State child welfare agencies, many of these agencies also received data from additional sources. For example, for 2004, statistics on 18.4 percent of fatalities were from health departments and fatality review boards. Coordination of data collection among multiple agencies contributes to a greater understanding of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect nationwide.

Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities Data
National Data Analysis System, Child Welfare League of America (2004)
Demographic characteristics, perpetrator relationship, and history of involvement with the child welfare agency for children who died as a result of child abuse and neglect.

Child Maltreatment 2006

Author(s):	United States. Children's Bureau., Walter R. McDonald & Associates. Gaudiosi
Availability:	View Publication Printable Version (PDF - 5130 KB) Order Publication (Free - Add to Cart)
Year Published:	2008 - 194 pages

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2006. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2006, an estimated 905,000 children in the 50 ...

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 (PDF - 410 KB)
American Humane Association (2004)
Factsheet addressing the national scope of the problem.

Policy on Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths
National Data Analysis System, Child Welfare League of America (2003)
Presents the results of two Child Welfare League of America surveys in an attempt to understand the numbers of child abuse deaths that States report.

Variation in Homicide Risk During Infancy: United States, 1989-1998
Paulozzi & Sells
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(9), 2002
Study investigating the incidence of homicide among infants in the United States. (PDF - 369 KB)

Updated on April 4, 2008