A child fatality is the most tragic consequence of abuse and neglect. It is a loss not only to the family but to the child's community and Texans overall. Information regarding child fatalities can help communities identify, certain trends or patterns and areas where additional support to families can be utilized provided to prevent child abuse and neglect. Data is subject to change and is updated regularly.
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as of March 21, 2024
- Fiscal Year 2024
- Fiscal Year 2023
- Fiscal Year 2022
- Fiscal Year 2021
- Fiscal Year 2020
- Fiscal Year 2019
- Fiscal Year 2018
- Fiscal Year 2017
- Fiscal Year 2016
- Fiscal Year 2015
- Fiscal Year 2014
- Fiscal Year 2013
- Fiscal Year 2012
- Fiscal Year 2011
Helpful Definitions
- Child fatalities listed in this section have either been or are currently being investigated or occurred during an open stage of service with DFPS and did not involve abuse or neglect.
- Region and County are based on the county that the child fatality occurred in or based on the child's legal county if the child was in DFPS conservatorship.
- Programs involved or investigating is defined as the program completing the child fatality investigation. Multiple divisions may be listed when the child fatality is being investigated by multiple DFPS divisions or where the child was in DFPS conservatorship but residing in a location regulated by another division such as a foster home or residential treatment facility.
- Information provided in this section is designed to comply with public disclosure requirements under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA 42 U.S.C. 5106 § a (b)(2)(A)(x)(2006) and Texas Family Code Sec. 261.203. Information relating to Child Fatality . In order to protect the rights of the involved child or children,family members and preserve the confidentiality of child abuse and neglect reports and records, the following information will not be released and will be redacted where it is deemed necessary in accordance to CAPTA:
- Any identifying information of the child who is subject to the report, any member of the child’s family, any member of the child’s household, or any caregiver of the child.
- Any identifying information regarding the person/s suspected of the abuse or neglect.
- Any identifying information regarding the reporter of the suspicion of abuse or neglect.
- Any information the disclosure of which would not be in the best interests of the child who is the subject of the report or any member of his/her family.
- Any information that may adversely affect a pending criminal investigation and/or proceeding.
- Any other disclosure which violates any other state or federal confidentiality laws including, but not limited to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), titles IV-B/IV-E of the Social Security Act, and any other applicable law.