Child-Abuse Deaths Soar

By Michael Saul, Daily News City Hall Bureau
Originally published by the New York Daily News, October 8th, 2004

The number of city kids who have died from abuse or neglect this year is up an alarming 57 percent, officials said yesterday.

Some 58 kids died from suspected maltreatment during the first nine months of 2004—and half of the deaths came in homes previously visited by city social workers, officials said.

"This trend upwards is very disturbing," said John Mattingly, commissioner of the city's Administration for Children's Services.

The grim tally includes 15 kids killed in tragic accidents—when sleeping adults accidentally rolled over on them. The number also includes seven homicides.

Mattingly said this increase in child fatalities "raises questions about whether our children are less safe than they have been in the past."

Officials said the city would fight back with an immediate review of all cases, improved community outreach, better coordination among city agencies and a public awareness campaign.

"Child welfare is first and foremost on our minds," Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday.

"The children can't protect themselves—we have an obligation to protect them."

Yesterday, a new study released by the nonprofit group Children's Rights charged the city with inadequately responding to cases of repeated abuse.

The study also said the city did a poor job of assessing the safety of surviving siblings and often failed to contact the deceased child's physician.

"This study makes it clear that a strong community response is needed to ensure that children are protected, particularly when there has been a history of abuse or neglect that places them at risk of serious harm," said Marcia Robinson Lowry, the group's executive director.