14.5% Of Child Deaths In Texas Were Caused By Abuse Or Neglect

Of the 4,723 total child deaths in Texas between fiscal year 2010 through 2013, about 14.5% (686 deaths) were caused by child abuse or neglect. Of the 686 child maltreatment deaths, 48.6% were due to physical abuse; 13.1% involved a child left unattended in a hot motor vehicle or an unsupervised child hit by a car; 13.5% were due to unsafe sleep (due to bed-sharing and unsafe sleep environment); 12.5% were due to neglectful supervision (which includes dog attacks, objects falling on the child, and suicide; and 20.8% were due to drowning . . .