Docs: Increase In Child Deaths In LA County System
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A published report says the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has seen a steady increase since 2008 in children it monitors who have died from abuse or neglect.
The Los Angeles Times says in a story Monday that the number of maltreatment fatalities rose from 18 in 2008 to 26 in 2009 to 21 in the first eight months of this year.
The deaths are detailed in confidential documents obtained by the Times that the department has said will eventually be released to the public but have taken longer than expected to process.
The records show the majority of deaths came while the children were under active supervision or had recently had a visit from a social worker.
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