A new report from the Indiana Department of Child Services shows that 59 children died in 2024 as a result of abuse or neglect across the state, marking a slight increase from the year before. According to the 2024 Annual Report of Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities in Indiana, more than 70 percent of the victims were three years old or younger, highlighting that very young children remain the most vulnerable. In total, 18 deaths were ruled abuse-related and 41 were caused by neglect, with Marion County recording the highest number of fatalities. Most of the deaths occurred in the child’s own home, and biological parents were most often identified as the responsible caregivers. The report also found that many of the cases involved known risk factors such as substance abuse, unstable income, overcrowded living conditions, and caregiver stress, and in one-quarter of the cases, the child had previous involvement with DCS. State officials say the findings will be used to guide prevention efforts, public education, and future policy changes aimed at protecting Indiana’s most at-risk children.
Full report here –> https://www.in.gov/dcs/files/2024_Annual_Report_of_Child_Abuse_and_Neglect_Fatalities_in_Indiana.pdf
