The Florida Department of Children & Families has launched a new website was to raise public awareness about child fatalities throughout the state and identify communities with families in need of additional resources.
In 2013, there were 359 reported fatalities for children under age three in Florida. Children under three comprised 83% of all reported child fatalities, according to the website. Leading causes of death were unsafe sleep and drowning—underscoring the importance of educating families around these key safety issues during home visits.
The website includes information regarding all child fatalities called into the Florida Abuse Hotline alleged to be a result of abuse or neglect. The verification status of cases is listed as well as whether the family had prior involvement with the state’s protective services system. Investigation results are posted for each case. The data can be sorted and viewed by county, child’s age, causal factor and prior involvement. The website is updated weekly with information from the Hotline and DCF field staff.
The site also includes information about DCF’s prevention campaigns relating to the leading causes of child fatality in Florida—unsafe sleep, drowning and inflicted trauma.