(INDIANAPOLIS) - Infants and toddlers remain the most vulnerable victims of fatal abuse and neglect in Indiana, according to a new annual report from the Indiana Department of Child Services.
The report shows 59 children died from caregiver abuse or neglect in 2024, with more than 70% of the victims under age 3. Eighteen deaths were attributed to abuse, while 41 were linked to neglect.
DCS reviewed 276 child fatalities statewide, finding that about one in five deaths involved caregiver maltreatment--a rate that has remained consistent in recent years.
Common causes included physical injury, unsafe sleep conditions, poisoning, drowning, and asphyxia. Substance abuse, medical neglect, and financial stress were frequently cited contributing factors. Most deaths occurred in the child's home, and more than 80% of alleged perpetrators were biological parents.
State officials say the findings highlight the continued need for early intervention and support for families with young children.