INDIANAPOLIS — Child deaths in Indiana increased by more than 13% in 2022, according to data the Department of Child Services reported Friday in its Annual Report of Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities in Indiana.
The report said DCS investigators were called to 308 child fatalities in 2022 compared with 271 in 2021. Of those, 17 deaths were found to be caused by abuse and 44 due to neglect. None of those cases were in Bartholomew County, according to the report.
One child died due to neglect in Johnson County, DCS reported.
Of those who died of abuse, all were less than 6 years old and 14 of the 17 were two years old or younger.
The annual report details the circumstances leading to each fatality and highlights the risk factors that put children in danger.
According to DCS, causes of death were taken from state death certificates. Death by weapon, including body part, was the leading cause of death, listed in 36% of cases. Unsafe sleeping arrangements, caregiver substance abuse, failure to supervise a child (especially near a body of water), driving while intoxicated and poisoning or overdose also were factors.
DCS reviews all child fatalities that meet the following circumstances:
- For children under 3 years of age: The death is sudden, unexpected or unexplained, or involves allegations of abuse and neglect.
- For children age 3 or older: The death involves allegations of abuse or neglect.
The full report can be found here.
More information on child abuse and neglect prevention can be found here.
