Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse & Neglect - ICAN Associates

ICAN 2009 DATA REPORT
• SPA 1 (Antelope Valley) and SPA 6 (South)
had the two highest infant mortality
rates in 2007 (8.6 and 6.7, respectively).
However, infant mortality increased in
all SPAs in 2007, with the exception of
SPA 4 (Metro) and SPA 5 (West).
• Infant deaths related to abuse and neglect
have remained low between 2003 and
2007. There were four abuse related
infant deaths reported in 2007. Child
abuse related deaths among children
ages 1 to 17 have also remained steady
between 2003 and 2007. In 2007, the
abuse related death rate for children
ages 1 to 17 was 0.1 deaths per
100,000.
• Between 2003 and 2007, child death
rates among children ages 1 to 17
decreased from 20.8 per 100,000 to
18.2 deaths per 100,000. Among
race/ethnic groups, African-American
children ages 1 to 17 had the highest
death rate at 37.4 deaths per 100,000 in
2007. Among SPAs, SPA 6 (South) had
the highest rate at 26.0 deaths per
100,000 followed by SPA 1 (Antelope
Valley) at 23.3 deaths per 100,000.
• In 2007, the leading cause of death among
infants and among children ages 1 to 4 was
congenital malformations, deformations
and chromosomal abnormalities. For
children aged 1 to 12, the leading cause
was accidents (unintentional injuries)
and for children 13 to 17, the leading
cause of death was homicide.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
• A total of 5,095 cases relating to child
abuse and neglect were submitted
for filing consideration against adult
defendants.
• Of these, charges were filed in 48%
(2,450) of the cases reviewed. Felony
charges were filed in 61% (1,519) of these
matters. Misdemeanor charges were filed
in % (930) of these matters.
• Of those cases declined for filing (a
total of 2,645 – both felonies and misdemeanors),
cases submitted alleging a
violation of PC §288(a) accounted for
37% of the declinations (975).
• In 78% of the adult cases filed involving
child abuse, the gender of the defendant
was male.
• Convictions were achieved in 91% of
the cases filed against adult offenders.
Defendants received grants of probation
in 71% (1,277) of these cases. State
prison sentences were ordered in 27%
(483) of the cases; with 1% (12) of the
defendants receiving a life sentence in
state prison.
• A total of 545 cases relating to child
abuse and neglect were submitted for
filing consideration against juvenile
offenders.
• Of these, charges were filed in 56% (306)
of the cases reviewed. Felony charges
were filed in 94% (287) of these cases.
• Of the filed cases, 62% (189) alleged a
violation of PC §288(a).
• Of the declined cases (239 – both
felonies and misdemeanors), 65% (156)
alleged a violation of PC §288(a).
• In 92% of the petitions filed involving
child abuse, the gender of the minor
was male.
• Sustained petitions (188) were achieved
in 88% of the juvenile cases.
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
• The number of Adult Referrals in all
categories, except for physical abuse,
declined from 2004 to 2008.
• The number of Juvenile Referrals in all
categories increased from 2004 to
2008.
42