The most tragic consequence of child abuse and neglect is child fatality. Child protective services, law enforcement, and medical professionals often work together to investigate and respond in cases of possible child maltreatment deaths. The following resources provide strategic protocols for responding collaboratively to investigate child maltreatment near fatalities and fatalities.

CAN-Related Deaths
National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (2021)
Provides data on child and infant deaths caused by child abuse and neglect to help improve child maltreatment fatality reviews.

Challenges in Determining Child Maltreatment Fatalities: What Do We Really Know?
Douglas & Lee (2020)
Child Abuse Review
Examines the challenges in determining the causes of fatal child maltreatment and compares neglect, medical neglect, and physical abuse. The study found that across jurisdictions, reports are not consistent and recommends uniformity in the use and understanding of terms related to child maltreatment fatalities.

Child Death Scene Investigation Learning Series 
National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (2021)
Reviews the key component of a child death scene investigation with a focus on sudden and unexplained death. This requires a free log in to access the course. 

Child Fatalities
Casey Family Programs (2021)
Offers resources for child welfare leaders and agencies on responding to and preventing child maltreatment fatalities and near fatalities.

Child Safety Forward
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities (2020)
Describes the Child Safety Forward program, which aims to develop multidisciplinary approaches and responses to near-death injuries resulting from child abuse and neglect. The webpage also links to a comprehensive report, Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities (PDF - 21,341 KB).

Cross-Reporting Among Agencies That Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 745KB)
Year Published
2021
Discusses State laws that authorize cross-reporting and information sharing among the agencies that must respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Typically, reports are shared among social services agencies, law enforcement departments, and prosecutors' offices. Other requirements also are addressed, including notifying military authorities when a report involves a member of a military family and notifying the appropriate Tribal authority when a report involves a child who is a member or is eligible for membership of a Native American Tribe.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Seven Strategies to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Sanders (2018)
Explains steps that can be taken by child protection agencies to help reduce child abuse and neglect fatalities.

Organizations Providing Information on Child Fatalities
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2018)
Lists organizations that provide information and statistics on child fatalities.

State Child Abuse and Neglect Policies Database
Mathematica; Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation; Child Trends; & National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect
Presents data on the definitions and policies that States use in their surveillance of child abuse and neglect, along with information on associated risk factors and protective factors.

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