NCJ Number
126802
Date Published
1990
Length
92 pages
Annotation
A study in Virginia reviewed cases of child deaths and recommended appropriate criminal sanctions for actions resulting in the death of a child after protracted patterns of abuse.
Abstract
Cases of child deaths from abuse or neglect for the years 1986 through the early part of 1989 were reviewed, as well as recent legislative initiatives, pertaining to the death of a child from abuse, taken in other states. Few children whose cases were reviewed died as the result of the cumulative effects of abuse. For the most part, the victims, aged one year or younger, died as a result of single, violent acts. The cases reviewed suggest that protracted patterns which do lead to the death of a child will involve neglect more often than physical abuse. There appears to be little consistency in how cases are handled, in the determination of charges to be filed, and in the convictions and sentencing of perpetrators. The lack of communication among agencies was one problem cited by this study. Recommendations on improving the total response to child abuse and neglect in order to prevent deaths from maltreatment include establishing a formal process for reviewing cases of child deaths from suspected maltreatment on both the State and local levels. 1 note, 88 references, and appendix