NCJ Number
129532
Journal
Children's Legal Rights Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 2-11
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This national survey of laws and policies involving child abuse fatalities indicates that States and localities need to improve their responsiveness to suspicious child deaths.
Abstract
Questionnaires on State and local laws and policies were mailed to State child welfare agencies, vital statistics agencies, medical examiners, legislative and judicial committees on children and youth, health and human service agencies, local child welfare and public health departments, prosecutors, police departments, and hospitals. It was found that at least 29 States explicitly include coroners and medical examiners among those who must report suspicions that a child has died from abuse or neglect to a child welfare agency. Of States specifically addressing child deaths in their reporting statutes, there are different requirements as to whom reports must be made. Many States require that reports be made to any one or more of the following: medical examiner, law enforcement, child protection agency, or district attorney. In most jurisdictions, medical examiners have a statutory legal duty to investigate all deaths suspected as resulting from child abuse or neglect. Despite mandated reviews, many jurisdictions lack specific guidelines and procedures for conducting a comprehensive investigation. Reports to and the responsiveness of law enforcement, the medical examiner, and child protective agencies to child deaths affect the extent to which the child protection system safeguards surviving siblings similarly at risk in the home. Recommendations to enhance child protection focus on uniform death investigations and protocols, adequate recordkeeping, multidisciplinary child fatality review committees, and confidentiality. 46 references