Child Fatality Reports

Maryland Human Services Article 1-203 allows limited disclosure of information in child fatality cases upon request and with the approval for release by the local State’s Attorney’s Office. We are committed to being transparent while also protecting the privacy of the families of children who have passed away.

Human Services § 1-203 permits sharing limited information about alleged child abuse or neglect cases resulting in a fatality, but only regarding the actions of the Department or its agents. The Department can release information relating to a child fatality if there is sufficient evidence that the alleged abuse or neglect contributed to the fatality. Human Services Article 1-203 (e) outlines specific disclosure limitations, while (d) allows disclosure of:

1. The name of the allegedly abused or neglected child who has suffered a fatality;
2. The date of the report of the alleged child abuse or neglect and of any prior or subsequent reports;
3. The findings made by the local department at the conclusion of its investigation and the disposition made by the local department based on its findings;
4. Any services provided to the alleged abuser or neglector, the allegedly abused or neglected child, and the household or family members;
5. The number of referrals for professional services for the alleged abuser or neglector, the allegedly abused or neglected child, and the household or family members;
6. Any prior adjudication as a child in need of assistance of the allegedly abused or neglected child, a sibling of the child, or another child in the household, family, or in the care of the alleged abuser or neglector;
7. The status of any case involving the child that was open at the time of the fatality. A summary of the facts of the fatality, including the date of the fatality and the cause of death as reported by the medical examiner, and
8. Any information concerning the circumstances of the alleged child abuse or neglect and the investigation of the circumstances, if the local director or the Secretary determines that the disclosure is consistent with the public interest.

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