INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) has released its annual report for 2021. DCS investigated 271 child deaths in 2021, 60 of which were determined to be a result of abuse and neglect.
The Annual Report of Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities in Indiana details the circumstances leading to each fatality and highlights the risk factors that put children in danger.
Improper sleeping arrangements, including co-sleeping, remain a leading contributor to infant fatalities. Other common risk factors listed in the report were substance abuse, failure to supervise a child (especially near a body of water) and driving while intoxicated.
DCS is legally required to review all child fatalities that fit under 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.
