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Child abuse and neglect fatalities remained high in Hampton Roads for 2016

Posted at 9:45 AM, Mar 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-28 16:46:06-04

NORFOLK, Va. - The number of children in Hampton Roads who died as a result of child abuse and neglect remained high in 2016 when compared to the rest of Virginia.

That is the findings of the Eastern Region Child Fatality Review Team in their new report "Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities in Hampton Roads - FY 2016 Report" released Tuesday.

According to the team, the number of deaths has remained high compared to the rest of the state, which is particularly true for sleep related deaths.

The numbers for fiscal year 2016 follow national trending and do not show much improvement.

There were 12 child deaths in Hampton Roads found to be caused by the abuse or neglect of a caretaker in FY 2016, compared to 13 in FY 2015.

"One death is too many. All these deaths are preventable," author of the report Betty Wade Coyle told News 3's Todd Corillo Tuesday.

The team reports that every death can provide a lesson about how such fatalities can be prevented.

The Eastern Region team has collected statistics for the past 20 years and compiled data to educate the public about child fatalities and their prevention.

You can read the entire report here