Data regarding the unexpected deaths of children age’s birth through seventeen is provided by the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). The OCA is statutorily mandated to review all unexpected and unexplained deaths of children in Connecticut. The OCA works closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) to review the cause and manner of child fatalities. Reviews of child deaths include both intentional deaths (homicide and suicide) and unintentional deaths (accident and undetermined; which includes Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)).

Accidents have been the leading cause of unexpected deaths of children for four of the last five years, followed by undetermined deaths. According to OCA, undetermined deaths is a category used by the OCME when, upon the completion of an autopsy, there are no findings of disease, trauma, or obvious injury. Most often, undetermined deaths are infants. For many of these infants there is a risk factor associated with their sleep environment which might include objects in the sleep area such as pillows, blankets, comforters, wedges, or stuffed animals. Also, when an infant is sleeping in a space other than a crib or bassinette such as a chair, couch or adult bed with other adults or children they are at risk for death.

Childhood deaths from accidents occurred across all ages. The leading cause of accidental death for children is related to motor vehicles accidents. In 2015, child deaths associated with motor vehicle crashes included passengers, pedestrians, and drivers. Teen driver fatalities continue to decline.

Historically the second leading cause of unexpected accidental deaths in children has been drowning (natural bodies of water, pools, and bathtubs). In 2015, however, accidental death from positional asphyxia (infant suffocation), was the 2^nd leading cause of death for children in Connecticut.

Child homicides did spike in 2012, due to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, their occurrence has consistently been the second or third most likely cause of unexpected intentional deaths and occur most frequently in small to large cities. Homicide deaths are most often infants and toddler on one end of the childhood spectrum and teens on the other. Most homicides of children are by people they know, for young children it is most often someone in a caregiving role.

Despite the slight increases in both homicide and undetermined deaths, Connecticut ‘s child death rate is one of the lowest in the nation. From birth through 17 years old, infants less than one year old, are at the greatest risk of death from intentional and unintentional injuries.

To curb incidence of suicide, DCF established the Connecticut Youth Suicide Advisory Board in 1989, and The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) also runs a similar suicide prevention initiative. Efforts through Connecticut’s the 1 Word, 1 Voice, 1 Life Campaign, along with the State of Connecticut 2020 Suicide Prevention Plan, supported by prevevention activities with the State Suicide Advisory Board work to keep youth and adults safe . At a legislative level, the Connecticut General Assembly has addressed youth suicide by targeting cyberbullying, school safety plans, and developing a comprehensive children’s mental health, emotional and behavior health plan.

When it comes to child deaths from crashes/accidents, the graduated driver’s license restrictions (one of the strictest) in country has decreased the number of teen deaths. Also, the CT Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has taken on a number of teen driving related initiatives.

The increase in sudden infant death associated with sleeping environment, has resulted in in a campaign with key state agencies taking the lead to bring public awareness to this issue. Legislation was passed by the Connecticut General Assembly to provide parents critical information regarding safe sleep practices.

To address the issue of infant and toddler homicide, a multi-agency working group is currently working on a prevention campaign related shaken baby/abusive head trauma.

• Office of the Child Advocate
• Connecticut Children’s Alliance
• Connecticut Nurses Association
• Department of Public Health
• Department of Children and Families

• Implement ‘Safe Streets’ Programs (Stamford Youth Services)
• Reduce teen driving deaths through the DMV Commissioners’ advisory group on teen driving safety, community and hospital-based safe driving coalitions, driving schools’ training efforts, and the insurance industry efforts. (OCA)
• Promote health care providers’ education of parents regarding safe sleep for infants. (OCA)
• Continue the work of the Connecticut's Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) training events and primary prevention efforts throughout the state. (OCA)

Data Source: Office of the Child Advocate:

An Examination of Connecticut Child Fatalities: A Ten Year Review

January 1, 2001 to January 1, 2011