Although the number of child deaths in Florida continues to decrease, a just-released report finds that 126 unnecessary verifiable child deaths occurred in Florida in 2011.
The 2012 Annual Report of the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee, released Friday, found that 126 child deaths were on account of abuse or neglect. Sixty-two of these deaths were caused by drowning or unsafe sleeping practices with infants.
Regarding Orange County, the report documents that 312 child deaths occurred in 2011 and based on verifiable findings, four deaths occurred on account of abuse or neglect at the hands of parents or caregivers.
“We are committed to eliminating child deaths from abuse and neglect by working with state agencies and communities across Florida,” said Surgeon General and Secretary of Health John H. Armstrong, M.D. “Promoting safer environments around water or while sleeping will help prevent profound heartbreak.”
Some of the other key findings of the report are:
- The number of child deaths in Florida continues to decrease.
- Children under four are at the highest risk of dying, especially from preventable causes such as drowning and co-sleeping.
- Domestic violence intervention in families’ lives can prevent some child abuse deaths.
- Neglect is the leading factor in verified child deaths. Drowning is the top cause.
The Florida Department of Heath is considering statutory changes to broaden the scope of the review to all child deaths investigated by DCF.
For the full report go HERE.
