DCS Report: 59 Children Died In 2016 From Abuse, Neglect

The latest state report on the number of children determined to have died because of abuse or neglect came out today. The analysis details the deaths of 59 Hoosier children killed in 2016.

There were 77 children who died in 2015.

The report found children 3-years-old and younger are at the highest risk for abuse and neglect, which is consistent across the U.S.

Of the 59 deaths, 24 were from abuse and 35 were neglect. Vehicles were the highest cause of the deaths attributed to neglect, 35 cases. The most common cause of death from abuse was head trauma.

Marion County had the most fatalities at 14. Caregivers reported common stress factors were financial struggles and substance abuse.

The annual report from the Department of Child Services is out later this year. It comes during an ongoing investigation of the agency.