RELEASE: August 11, 2005

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Advocates release child fatalities report

TRENTON – Forty five percent of child fatalities could have been prevented, with too many children dying from preventable causes such as unsafe sleep/rollover, drowning, shaken baby syndrome and suicide, according to a report released today by the New Jersey Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board (CFNFRB) examining 87 child fatalities. In addition, the report found too many child deaths are subject to inconsistent criminal investigations.

Joining the CFNRB for today’s release were Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and Department of Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy. Both officials pledged their support of the CFNRB and explained how each of their departments will assist the board in protecting New Jersey’s children.

“Many of these children did not have to die -- losing their lives through horrible accidents that could have been prevented,” said CFNFRB Chairman Anthony D’Urso, Psy.D., Chairman, and Supervising Psychologist of the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House, Northern Regional Child Abuse Diagnostic Center. “Despite our efforts, we have seen an incredibly high number of drownings this summer and now recognize that more needs to be done to educate parents and caregivers.”

Mandated by federal and state law, the CFNRB is one of three citizen review panels examining issues affecting New Jersey children and families. Through its statewide and regional review process, the CFNFRB examines suspicious child deaths and identifies key components of New Jersey’s child welfare system that need to be strengthened.

“When we talk about child welfare, it is important to note that we are not just talking about DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services),” said Dr. D’Urso. “Law enforcement, prosecutors, the county medical examiners and so many other government agencies have an impact on services.”

In addition, Attorney General Harvey announced his support of proposed legislation increasing the authority of the State Medical Examiner regarding forensic investigations, establishing regional medical examiner offices and eliminating the county medical examiner system.

"We need to modernize New Jersey's medical examiner system to ensure consistent quality in the investigation of suspicious deaths, including those involving children," said Attorney General Harvey. "The current system is a 1950s model that is fragmented and characterized in some counties by outdated equipment, part-time staff and limited operating hours. We have drafted legislation to replace the county-based system with an integrated system of fully modern regional medical examiner offices under the supervision of a Chief State Medical Examiner with enhanced powers."

Commissioner Davy also announced Human Services will launch a prevention campaign through the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect (NJTFCAN). Through the NJTFCAN, the Department will launch public awareness campaigns about issues highlighted by the CFNFRB such as unsafe sleep/rollover, drowning and shaken baby syndrome

“Prevention continues to be a key component of our child welfare reform efforts,” added Commissioner Davy. “By working in partnership with the CFNFRB, we hope to increase awareness and reduce the risks of harm towards our children.”

This year’s report included the following goals and recommendations:

• The State Medical Examiners Office needs to be given more authority over county medical examiners so there can be more consistent and common standards of medical review statewide.
• Continue to promote and endorse public awareness campaigns about high risk situations to children that could lead to death such as unsafe sleep, SIDS, water hazards and home risk prevention, such as fire and infant safety awareness.
• All of the drowning fatalities reviewed by the CFNFRB occurred under the supervision of caregivers, due to issues such as poor supervision, safety and/or security devices.
• Include any determination of risk made by DYFS in future fatality reviews to determine what role, if any, risk may have had on a fatality
• Improve investigations and prosecutions by addressing the continuing problem of “perpetrator unknown” fatalities.
  

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