TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida's child-protection agency now lists five years of data on the deaths of children believed to be a result of abuse or death.
The Florida Department of Children and Families launched the Child Fatality Prevention Website in June along with fatality data. Five years of data were just added.
"We've worked to include this historical data as quickly as possible because we know how important it is to maximize transparency and to raise public awareness of these tragedies," interim DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said. "The only way to end these fatalities is to know what issues our families are facing. Our hope is that the website will serve as a tool for communities to join with us to meet the needs of their neighbors and protect vulnerable children."
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The website also includes information about DCF's prevention campaigns relating to the leading causes of child fatality in Florida — unsafe sleep, drowning and inflicted trauma. These campaigns provide useful information for parents and caregivers and avenues for communities and individuals to get involved in preventing these tragedies.
Website data can be sorted and viewed by county, year, child's age, causal factor and prior involvement. The department updates the site weekly with information from the Florida Abuse Hotline and DCF field staff. Supporting documents detailing additional factors in the case are posted after the case is closed following a review by one of six regional child fatality prevention specialists.
Florida is the largest state, and one of only a handful, to release child fatality data through a public interactive website. The website exceeds the data requirement set out by the Florida Legislature in Senate Bill 1666 which requires DCF to publish basic information about all child abuse deaths.
To view the website and learn more about the child fatality data available visit: MyFLFamilies.com/ChildFatality.