2019 STATEWIDE
CHILD DEATH
REPORT
STATE OF
NEVADA
DIVISION OF
CHILD AND
FAMILY
SERVICES
Submitted by:
The Executive Committee to Review
the Death of Children
2
Special thanks go to the following who contributed to complete the 2019 Statewide Child Death
Report:
2019 Executive Committee to Review Death of Children
2022 Executive Committee to Review Death of Children
Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS)
This report was prepared by the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy (NICRP)
NICRP Authors:
Dawn L. Davidson, Ph.D., Associate Director
Elizabeth Holka, B.A., Research Assistant
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... 5
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 10
Why is child death prevention important? ......................................................................................... 10
Where does Nevada’s child death data come from? .......................................................................... 10
How do the regional CDR teams and the Executive Committee work to prevent child deaths? .......... 10
What are the leading causes of child death in Nevada?...................................................................... 11
How does child death in Nevada compare with the United States as a whole? ................................... 11
Data Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Data Sources ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Data Confidentiality ........................................................................................................................... 12
Data Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 12
Review Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 13
Deaths Reviewed vs. Deaths not Reviewed ........................................................................................ 13
Overview of Deaths ............................................................................................................................... 14
Demographics ................................................................................................................................... 14
Manner of Death ............................................................................................................................... 17
Deaths by Manner ................................................................................................................................. 19
Natural .............................................................................................................................................. 19
Accident ............................................................................................................................................ 19
Homicide ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Suicide ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Undetermined ................................................................................................................................... 21
Leading Manners and Causes of Child Death.......................................................................................... 22
Accidents caused by unintentional asphyxia (n = 28) .......................................................................... 22
Homicides caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part (n = 14) ............................................. 24
Accidents caused by drowning (n = 10) .............................................................................................. 26
Suicides caused by hanging (n = 9) ..................................................................................................... 29
Deaths in which there was Abuse or Neglect, Maternal Substance Use, or CPS Involvement .................. 33
4
Deaths in which abuse or neglect caused or contributed to the death ............................................... 33
Infant deaths in which the mother used substances during pregnancy............................................... 36
Deaths in which the child was involved in the Child Protective Services (CPS) System ........................ 38
Regional Team Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 41
Recommendations Received .............................................................................................................. 41
Action Taken on Recommendations ................................................................................................... 41
Public Awareness Efforts Funded by the Executive Committee .............................................................. 42
SFY 2019 (7/2018 – 6/2019) ............................................................................................................... 42
SFY 2020 (7/2019 – 6/2020) ............................................................................................................... 42
APPENDIX A: Demographics of Decedents by Manner of Death ............................................................. 44
APPENDIX B: Demographics of Decedents for Each Manner of Death by Year ........................................ 45
APPENDIX C: Number and Percent of Child Deaths in Nevada in 2019 by Decedent’s County of Residence
for Leading Manners and Causes of Child Deaths ................................................................................... 50
APPENDIX D: Nevada Revised Statutes for Child Death Review .............................................................. 51
5
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by sex of decedent. ............................................... 14
Figure 2. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category of decedent. ................................ 15
Figure 3. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by race of decedent. ............................................. 15
Figure 4. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of decedent. .......... 16
Figure 5. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by county of residence of the decedent................. 16
Figure 6. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2018 and 2019 by manner of death. .............................. 18
6
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Number and percent of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by manner of death. ........................... 17
Table 2. Number of natural child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause. ......................... 19
Table 3. Number of accident child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause........................ 20
Table 4. Number of homicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause. ..................... 20
Table 5. Number of suicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause. ......................... 21
Table 6. Number of undetermined child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause. ............. 21
Table 7. Number and percent of manner and causes of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 excluding natural
and undetermined manners of death. ................................................................................................... 22
Table 8. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by sex of the decedent. ................................................................................................................. 22
Table 9. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by race of the decedent. ............................................................................................................... 23
Table 10. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent. ............................................................................ 23
Table 11. Circumstances of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in 2019. 23
Table 12. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the decedent. ..................................................................................... 24
Table 13. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by age category of the decedent. ...................................................................... 24
Table 14. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent. ................................................ 25
Table 15. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by type of weapon used. ................................................................................... 25
Table 16. Person handling the fatal weapon in homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a
person’s body part in Nevada in 2019. ................................................................................................... 25
7
Table 17. How the fatal weapon was being used at the time of homicide child deaths by caused by
assault, weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019. ................................................................. 26
Table 18. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by sex of
the decedent. ........................................................................................................................................ 27
Table 19. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by age
category of the decedent....................................................................................................................... 27
Table 20. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent. ......................................................................................... 27
Table 21. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by
drowning location. ................................................................................................................................ 27
Table 22. Swimming ability of children that died in Nevada in 2019 in accidents caused by drowning. ... 28
Table 23. Number of accident child deaths involving drowning in Nevada in 2019 with the listed
contributing factors. .............................................................................................................................. 28
Table 24. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the
decedent. .............................................................................................................................................. 29
Table 25. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by age
category of the decedent....................................................................................................................... 29
Table 26. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic
or Latino ethnicity of the decedent. ....................................................................................................... 30
Table 27. History of decedents in suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019. ................ 30
Table 28. Circumstances of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019. ......................... 31
Table 29. Types of life stressors in the recent history of decedents in suicide child deaths caused by
hanging in Nevada in 2019..................................................................................................................... 31
Table 30. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by manner of death. ............................. 33
Table 31. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the decedent. ......................... 33
Table 32. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by age category of the decedent. .......... 34
8
Table 33. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by race of the decedent. ....................... 34
Table 34. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the
decedent. .............................................................................................................................................. 34
Table 35. Types of abuse and neglect in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019. .................................................... 35
Table 36. Events reported as triggering physical abuse in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision,
or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019. ............................. 35
Table 37. History of abuse and neglect of the decedent in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor
supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019. ......... 36
Table 38. CPS involvement in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to hazards
caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019. ................................................................. 36
Table 39. Abusive head trauma in cases of homicide child deaths in which abuse or neglect caused or
contributed to the death in Nevada in 2018. ......................................................................................... 36
Table 40. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by gender of decedent. ....................................................... 37
Table 41. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by race of decedent. ........................................................... 37
Table 42. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of decedent......................... 37
Table 43. Risk factors associated with deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which
the mother used substances during pregnancy. ..................................................................................... 38
Table 44. Number and percent of child deaths in Nevada with CPS involvement in 2019 by manner of
death..................................................................................................................................................... 39
Table 45. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by age range of
decedent. .............................................................................................................................................. 39
Table 46. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by race of
decedent. .............................................................................................................................................. 40
9
Table 47. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or
Latino ethnicity of decedent. ................................................................................................................. 40
Table 48. Status of the involvement of Child Protective Services (CPS) System in which there was CPS
involvement in Nevada in 2019.............................................................................................................. 39
10
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to provide comprehensive information regarding the circumstances by which
children die in Nevada in order to prevent future child deaths and improve the health and safety of
children in the state.
WHY IS CHILD DEATH PREVENTION IMPORTANT?
Most child deaths, with the exception of natural and undetermined deaths, are preventable. A child’s
death is a tragic loss to the family and the community and can also be an indicator regarding the health
of the community. Understanding why a child dies can help prevent the deaths of other children and
improve health outcomes and overall child safety.
Different age groups of children and adolescents are at risk for different types of death. Infants and young
children are at greater risk of accidental asphyxia deaths, which often result from unsafe sleeping
environments and parents sharing a bed with their children. Adolescents are at greater risk of motor
vehicle accidents, suicide, and drug overdoses. All age groups are at risk of drowning, especially children
between ages one and four.
WHERE DOES NEVADA’S CHILD DEATH DATA COME FROM?
The 2019 child deaths were reviewed by Nevada’s regional child death review (CDR) teams, which are
organized and operational pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) chapter 432B, sections 403 through
4095. (See Appendix D.) In 2019, there were six regional CDR teams in the state that conducted child death
reviews.
The two urban teams, Clark and Washoe, reviewed child deaths in the major population centers of the
state, in the areas of Las Vegas and Reno, respectively. The teams in the rural areas reviewed child deaths
in all other counties.
The Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children (Executive Committee) is the statewide group
that provides coordination, oversight, and training to the regional CDR teams. The Executive Committee
reviews reports and recommendations from the regional teams and advocates for improvements to laws,
policies, protocols, and practices related to the prevention of child deaths. Additionally, the Executive
Committee compiles and distributes this statewide annual report. Finally, the Executive Committee makes
decisions about funding initiatives to prevent child deaths based on the analyses of the annual data.
HOW DO THE REGIONAL CDR TEAMS AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WORK TO PREVENT CHILD
DEATHS
?
The regional CDR teams submit recommendations to the Executive Committee to improve laws, policies,
and practices that may help prevent child death. The Executive Committee primarily works with state,
county, and local agencies to make internal or systemic changes that focus on increased safety for
children.
11
The Executive Committee funds annual public awareness campaigns for the prevention of child death in
cooperation with community-based organizations, focused on the leading preventable causes of death.
WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF CHILD DEATH IN NEVADA?
Excluding natural and undetermined deaths, in 2019, the four leading causes of death were:
1. Accidents caused by unintentional asphyxia
2. Homicides caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part
3. Accidents caused by drowning
4. Suicides caused by hanging
HOW DOES CHILD DEATH IN NEVADA COMPARE WITH THE UNITED STATES AS A WHOLE?
Nevada
United States
Number of child deaths in 2019
268
34,602
1
Number of child deaths in 2018
272
35,454
2
Change in number of child deaths from 2018 to 2019
Decrease of 4
(1.5%)
Decrease of 852
(2.4%)
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births in 2019
3
5.7
5.6
Age group experiencing largest number of child deaths in 2019
Under 1 year
Under 1 year
4
Leading cause of child death in 2019
Natural
Natural
1
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2020). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System: 20 Leading
Causes of Death, United States, 2018 [custom data query]. Retrieved February 25, 2022 from
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
2
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2019). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System: 20 Leading
Causes of Death, United States, 2017 [custom data query]. Retrieved February 25, 2022 from
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
3
Centers for Disease Control (2021). Infant Mortality 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2022 from
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
4
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2020). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System: 20 Leading
Causes of Death, United States, 2018 [custom data query]. Retrieved February 25, 2022 from
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
DATA OVERVIEW
DATA SOURCES
All Nevada data in this report are derived from the regional CDR teams, which collect and enter data into
an electronic case reporting system maintained by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention
(CFRP). Based on the multidisciplinary reviews conducted for child deaths that occurred in calendar year
2019, there were a total of 268 child deaths that were reviewed in the state. These fatalities include
children and adolescents from birth through 17 years of age.
DATA CONFIDENTIALITY
Portions of the collective information and data contained in this report were compiled from child records
that are confidential and contain information that is protected from disclosure to the public, pursuant to
Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and federal laws and regulations.
DATA LIMITATIONS
• Some child deaths are not reviewed by the regional CDR teams. While the teams review all
coroner-referred deaths, there may be some cases where the death certificate is issued by a
private attending physician (non-coroner-referred) and is not referred to a team for review.
Additionally, some deaths of out-of-state residents may not be processed through a Nevada
coroner or medical examiner.
• Although a national data instrument is used for the collection of data, there may be
inconsistencies at the regional CDR team level in terms of how these data are collected and
entered.
• The data entered into the database are based on the documentation provided to the teams
and information obtained during the review process. Unfortunately, for some cases, this
information is very limited which leads to several variables in the data system being recorded
as “unknown” or “missing”.
• There may be data errors due to problems with a child’s name. The most common issue occurs
with infants who are not given a name at the time of their death and are assigned a designation
such as “baby boy” or “baby girl.” When a death certificate is issued, in most cases, a name is
given, which creates discrepancies in the data. These cases are examined, and attempts are
made to reconcile these differences, but not all discrepancies can be corrected.
• There may be data errors due to coding for the cause of death. For coroner and medical
examiner data, groupings are made based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-
10 codes and information grouping details. The ICD-10 classification system is developed and
published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and used to code and classify mortality
13
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
data from death certificates.
5
Typically, the cause of death is entered as reported on the
death certificate. However, if during the review process, additional information is obtained,
the team has the ability to reclassify the cause of death. In these instances, the cause of death
decided by the team would be recorded in the database.
• Similarly, although the coroner or medical examiner may conclude that the manner of death
is undetermined in some cases, if during the review process, additional information is
obtained, the team has the ability to reclassify the manner of death. In these instances, the
manner of death decided by the team would be recorded in the database.
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
The purpose, organization, and functions of the regional CDR teams are mandated by Nevada Revised
Statutes (NRS) Chapter 432B, sections 403 through 4095. State-mandated child death reviews include the
following:
•
Reviews requested by adults related to the child within one year of the date of death.
•
Children who were in the custody of a child welfare agency or whose family received services from
such an agency.
•
Children who died from alleged abuse or neglect.
•
Children whose siblings, household members, or day care providers were subject to an abuse or
neglect investigation within the previous 12 months.
•
Children who were adopted through a child welfare agency.
•
Children who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
DEATHS REVIEWED VS. DEATHS NOT REVIEWED
Each of the six regional CDR teams reviews all coroner-referred child deaths within their region that meet
the above criteria. In Clark County, the team meets monthly due to their high caseload. In Washoe County,
the team meets every other month. In the rural areas, most of the regional CDR teams meet quarterly to
review child death cases referred by coroners’ offices, or as requested, in their respective regions.
However, the rural regional teams might meet less frequently if no child fatalities are reported in a given
quarter.
5
National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-
10-CM). Retrieved April 22, 2020 from
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm#FY%202020%20release%20of%20ICD-10-CM
14
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
OVERVIEW OF DEATHS
In 2019, the Nevada regional CDR teams reviewed the deaths of 268 children under 18 years of age. In the
sections that follow, the overall demographics and manner of these deaths are reviewed.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The data used for this report come from the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System, which is the
case reporting system used by the regional CDR teams. The response options in the system to report on
a child’s “sex” include, “Male,” “Female,” and “Unknown.” Based on the available data, the terms sex,
male, female, and unknown will be used in the current report.
As seen in Figure 1, there were more child deaths in Nevada in 2019 among males as compared to females.
Figure 1. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by sex of decedent.
157
111
0
0
100
200
Male Female Unknown
15
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
As seen in Figure 2, the majority of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 occurred among those less than one
year of age (60.8%).
Figure 2. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category of decedent.
The largest percentage of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 occurred among White children (54.1%) and
African American children (26.5%).
Figure 3. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by race of decedent.
163
32
22 22
29
0
100
200
Under 1 Year 1 - 4 Years 5 - 9 Years 10 - 14 Years 15 - 17 Years
0
0
3
6
9
13
21
71
145
0 100 200
Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian
American Indian
Pacific Islander
Unknown
Asian
Multi-racial
African American
White
16
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
The largest percentage of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 were among children not of Hispanic or Latino
ethnicity (61.2%). See Figure 4.
Figure 4. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of decedent.
Due to the small number of child deaths that occur among children who are residents of the counties of
Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye,
Pershing, Storey, and White Pine, and to maintain confidentiality, the number of child deaths that
occurred in these counties in 2019 have been combined for this report and the county of residence is
referred to as the Rural Counties.
As seen in Figure 5, the largest percentage of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 occurred among those who
were residents of Clark County (76.1%).
Figure 5. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by county of residence of the decedent.
10
94
164
0 100 200
Unknown
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino
204
43
11
6
4
0
100
200
300
Clark County Washoe
County
Out of state Rural
Counties
Unknown
17
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
MANNER OF DEATH
A coroner or medical examiner lists one of five manners of death on the death certificate as follows:
1. Natural: Deaths that result from natural disease mechanisms and include prematurity, intra-
uterine fetal demise, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases.
2. Accident: Deaths not caused by an intent to harm.
3. Homicide: The killing of one human by another.
4. Suicide: Taking of one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.
5. Undetermined: Deaths where sufficient evidence or information cannot be deduced during
the initial investigation, usually about intent, to assign a manner of death.
As seen in Table 1, the largest percentage of child deaths by manner in Nevada in 2019 were natural
(59.0%), followed by accident (19.4%).
Table 1. Number and percent of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by manner of death.
Number
Percent
Natural
158
59.0%
Accident
52
19.4%
Suicide
16
6.0%
Homicide
16
6.0%
Undetermined
25
9.3%
Unknown
1
0.4%
Total
268
100%
As seen in Figure 6, there were fewer accident, suicide, and homicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 as
compared to 2018.
18
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Figure 6. Number of child deaths in Nevada in 2018 and 2019 by manner of death.
141
59
23
27
22
0
158
52
16 16
25
1
0
100
200
Natural Accident Suicide Homicide Undetermined Unknown
2018 2019
19
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
DEATHS BY MANNER
NATURAL
Natural deaths are those deaths that result from natural disease mechanisms and include prematurity,
and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases. In 2019, the largest percentage of child deaths by
manner in Nevada were natural (59.0%). As seen in Table 2 below, the majority of natural deaths occurred
among children under one year of age (70.3%). Overall, the most common cause of natural death was due
to “other medical condition” (25.9%), followed by congenital anomaly (17.7%), “other perinatal condition”
(16.5%) and prematurity (15.8%). “Other perinatal condition” and “other medical condition” are response
options in the data collection tool and include natural deaths in which the primary cause of death was due
to a medical condition other than those listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Number of natural child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause.
<1
Year
1 - 4
Years
5 - 9
Years
10 - 14
Years
15 - 17
Years
Total
Asthma/Respiratory
5
1
1
0
1
8
Cancer
0
0
1
1
2
4
Cardiovascular
6
5
1
0
0
12
Congenital anomaly
25
0
2
0
1
28
Diabetes
0
0
1
0
0
1
HIV/AIDS
0
0
0
0
0
0
Influenza
0
3
0
1
0
4
Low birth weight
0
0
0
0
0
0
Malnutrition/dehydration
0
0
0
0
0
0
Neurological/seizure
0
2
0
1
0
3
Pneumonia
2
0
0
0
0
2
Prematurity
25
0
0
0
0
25
SIDS
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other infection
2
0
1
1
0
4
Other perinatal condition
25
0
1
0
0
26
Other medical condition
21
5
4
7
4
41
Total
111
16
12
11
8
158
ACCIDENT
Accident deaths are deaths not caused by an intent to harm. In 2019, there were 52 accident child deaths
reviewed in Nevada. As seen in Table 3 below, more than half (55.8%) of the accident deaths were among
children less than one year of age. Overall, the most common cause of accident deaths among children in
Nevada in 2019 was unintentional asphyxia (53.8%) and all but one of these deaths occurred among
children under one year of age. The next most common cause of accident child deaths in Nevada in 2019
was drowning (19.2%).
20
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 3. Number of accident child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause.
<1
Year
1 - 4
Years
5 - 9
Years
10 - 14
Years
15 - 17
Years
Total
Any Medical Cause
1
0
0
0
0
1
Motor Vehicle
0
1
2
4
0
7
Fire, Burn, or Electrocution
0
0
0
0
0
0
Drowning
0
4
4
0
2
10
Unintentional Asphyxia
27
1
0
0
0
28
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fall or Crush
0
1
0
0
0
1
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
0
1
0
0
0
1
Undetermined
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other Injury
0
0
1
0
0
1
Unknown
1
1
0
0
1
3
Total
29
9
7
4
3
52
HOMICIDE
In 2019, there were 16 homicide child deaths reviewed in Nevada. As seen in Table 4 below, the majority
of the homicide child deaths were caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part (87.5%). The largest
percentage of homicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 were among children in the 1 – 4 Years age
category (37.5%) followed by children in the 15 – 17 Years age category (31.3%).
Table 4. Number of homicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause.
<1
Year
1 - 4
Years
5 - 9
Years
10 - 14
Years
15 - 17
Years
Total
Motor Vehicle
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fire, Burn, or Electrocution
0
0
1
0
0
1
Drowning
0
1
0
0
0
1
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
1
5
2
1
5
14
Fall or Crush
0
0
0
0
0
0
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
0
0
0
0
0
0
Undetermined
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
1
6
3
1
5
16
SUICIDE
In 2019, there were 16 suicide child deaths reviewed in Nevada. As seen in Table 5, all of the suicide deaths
occurred among children in the 10 – 14 Years and 15 – 17 Years age categories. More than half of the
suicide child deaths were the result of “other injury” (56.3%). A review of these cases indicates that they
were all suicide by hanging.
21
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 5. Number of suicide child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause.
<1
Year
1 - 4
Years
5 - 9
Years
10 - 14
Years
15 - 17
Years
Total
Motor Vehicle
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fire, Burn, or Electrocution
0
0
0
0
0
0
Drowning
0
0
0
0
0
0
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
0
0
0
3
2
5
Fall or Crush
0
0
0
0
0
0
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
0
0
0
0
2
2
Other Injury*
0
0
0
3
6
9
Total
0
0
0
6
10
16
*All suicide deaths caused by other injury were suicide deaths by hanging.
UNDETERMINED
In 2019, there were 25 child deaths reviewed in Nevada in which the manner of death was undetermined.
Undetermined deaths are deaths in which there is lack of sufficient evidence or information during the
initial investigation, usually about intent, to assign a different manner of death. As seen in Table 6 below,
the majority of the undetermined child deaths were among children under one year of age (84.0%). In
three of the undetermined child deaths, the death was caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part. In 22 of the undetermined child deaths, the cause was unknown or undetermined.
Table 6. Number of undetermined child deaths in Nevada in 2019 by age category and cause.
<1
Year
1 - 4
Years
5 - 9
Years
10 - 14
Years
15 - 17
Years
Total
Motor Vehicle
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fire, Burn, or Electrocution
0
0
0
0
0
0
Drowning
0
0
0
0
0
0
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
0
0
0
0
3
3
Fall or Crush
0
0
0
0
0
0
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
0
0
0
0
0
0
Undetermined
1
0
0
0
0
1
Unknown
20
1
0
0
0
21
Total
21
1
0
0
3
25
For details regarding the age, gender, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and county of residence for all of
the 2019 Nevada child decedents by manner, see Appendix A.
22
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
LEADING MANNERS AND CAUSES OF CHILD DEATH
Excluding natural and undetermined manners of death, in Nevada in 2019, the four leading manners and
causes of death included accidents caused by unintentional asphyxia (33.3%), homicide caused by assault,
weapon, or person’s body part (16.7%), accidents caused by drowning (11.9%), and suicide caused by
other injury (10.7%). As noted in the previous section, Deaths by Manner, all of the suicide deaths caused
by other injury were suicide deaths caused by hanging. See Table 7 for the number and percent of manner
and causes of child deaths in Nevada in 2019, excluding natural and undetermined manners of death.
Table 7. Number and percent of manner and causes of child deaths in Nevada in 2019 excluding natural
and undetermined manners of death.
Manner
Cause
Number
Percent
Accident
Unintentional Asphyxia
28
33.3%
Homicide
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
14
16.7%
Accident
Drowning
10
11.9%
Suicide
Other Injury*
9
10.7%
Accident
Motor Vehicle
7
8.3%
Suicide
Assault, Weapon, or Person's Body Part
5
6.0%
Accident
Unknown
3
3.6%
Suicide
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
2
2.4%
Accident
Asthma/respiratory
1
1.2%
Accident
Fall or Crush
1
1.2%
Accident
Poisoning, Overdose, or Acute Intoxication
1
1.2%
Accident
Other Injury
1
1.2%
Homicide
Fire, Burn, or Electrocution
1
1.2%
Homicide
Drowning
1
1.2%
Total
84
100%
*All suicide deaths caused by other injury were suicide deaths by hanging.
ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY UNINTENTIONAL ASPHYXIA (N = 28)
All of the accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in 2019 were sleep-related
and all but one of the deaths were among children under one year of age. As seen in Table 8, there were
more male children that died of unintentional asphyxia accidents in Nevada in 2019 as compared to
female children.
Table 8. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by sex of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
17
60.7%
Female
11
39.3%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
28
100%
23
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
As seen in Table 9 below, the largest percentage of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia
in Nevada in 2019 were among African American children (39.3%), followed by white children (25.0%),
and multi-racial children (21.4%).
Table 9. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by race of the decedent.
Number
Percent
White
7
25.0%
African American
11
39.3%
Native Hawaiian
0
0.0%
Pacific Islander
2
7.1%
Asian
2
7.1%
American Indian
0
0.0%
Alaska Native
0
0.0%
Multi-racial
6
21.4%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
28
100%
As seen in Table 10, the majority of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 were among children not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (82.1%).
Table 10. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
5
17.9%
Not Hispanic or Latino
23
82.1%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
28
100%
Some of the circumstances of the accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in
2019, including the objects found in the sleeping area, how the child was placed to sleep, and if the
caregiver fell asleep feeding the child, are identified in Table 11.
Table 11. Circumstances of accident child deaths caused by unintentional asphyxia in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Objects/people found in
sleeping area
Adult(s)
20
Child(ren)
10
Animal(s)
0
Comforter, quilt, or other
12
Thin blanket/flat sheet
11
Pillow
20
Cushion
4
Boppy or U-shaped pillow
1
Sleep positioner
0
24
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Bumper pads
0
Clothing
0
Crib railing/side
1
Wall
1
Toys
1
Other
2
Child placed to sleep
With a pacifier
1
On stomach
10
On side
6
In adult bed
17
On couch
4
Wrapped or swaddled in blanket
4
On floor
0
In car seat
0
Caregiver/supervisor fell asleep
Bottle feeding child
2
Breastfeeding child
0
Note: More than one circumstance can apply to a case
HOMICIDES CAUSED BY ASSAULT, WEAPON, OR A PERSON’S BODY PART (N = 14)
As seen in Table 12, there were more male children (71.4%) that died of homicide caused by assault,
weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019 as compared to female children (28.6%).
Table 12. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
10
71.4%
Female
4
28.6%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
14
100%
The largest percentage of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part were
among children in the 1 – 4 years age category and the 15 – 17 years age category (both at 35.7%). See
Table 13.
Table 13. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by age category of the decedent.
Number
Percent
<1 Year
1
7.1%
1 - 4 Years
5
35.7%
5 - 9 Years
2
14..3%
10 - 14 Years
1
7.1%
15 - 17 Years
5
35.7%
Total
14
100%
25
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
All of the homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019
were among children that were African American (57.1%) or white (42.9%). As seen in Table 14, the
majority of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019
were among children not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (64.3%).
Table 14. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
5
35.7%
Not Hispanic or Latino
9
64.3%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
14
100%
As seen in Table 15, the largest percentage of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a
person’s body part in Nevada in 2019 were the result of a firearm (42.9%) and a person’s body part
(28.6%).
Table 15. Number and percent of homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019 by type of weapon used.
Number
Percent
Firearm
6
42.9%
Sharp instrument
1
7.1%
Blunt instrument
0
0.0%
Person’s body part
4
28.6%
Other
0
0.0%
Unknown
3
21.4%
Total
14
100%
As seen in Table 16, in five of the homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a person’s body
part in Nevada in 2019, a biological parent handled the fatal weapon. In four of the homicide child deaths
either the mother’s partner (n = 3) or the father’s partner (n = 1) handled the fatal weapon.
Table 16. Person handling the fatal weapon in homicide child deaths caused by assault, weapon, or a
person’s body part in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Decedent (self)
0
Biological parent
5
Adoptive parent
0
Step-parent
0
Foster parent
0
Mother’s partner
3
Father’s partner
1
Sibling
0
Other relative
0
Friend
0
26
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Acquaintance
1
Child’s boyfriend/girlfriend
0
Institutional staff
0
Neighbor
0
Rival gang member
3
Stranger
2
Other
0
Unknown
0
Note: More than one person could have handled
the weapon
Table 17 identifies how the fatal weapon was being used at the time of homicide child deaths caused by
assault, weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019.
Table 17. How the fatal weapon was being used at the time of homicide child deaths by caused by
assault, weapon, or a person’s body part in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Self-injury
1
Commission of a crime
12
Drug dealing/trading
2
Drive-by shooting
1
Random violence
2
Child was a bystander
0
Argument
0
Jealousy
0
Intimate partner violence
0
Hate crime
0
Target shooting
0
Playing with the weapon
0
Weapon mistaken for a toy
0
Showing the gun to others
0
Russian Roulette
0
Gang-related activity
2
Self-defense
0
Cleaning the weapon
0
Other
0
Unknown
0
Note: More than one use can apply to a case
ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DROWNING (N = 10)
As seen in Table 18, there were more male children (60.0%) that died of accidents caused by drowning in
Nevada in 2019 as compared to female children (40.0%).
27
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 18. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by sex of
the decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
6
60.0%
Female
4
40.0%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
10
100%
In Nevada in 2019, the majority of accident child deaths caused by drowning were among children in the
1 – 4 years age category and in the 5 – 9 years age category (both at 40.0%). See Table 19.
Table 19. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by age
category of the decedent.
Number
Percent
<1 Year
0
0.0%
1 - 4 Years
4
40.0%
5 - 9 Years
4
40.0%
10 - 14 Years
0
0.0%
15 - 17 Years
2
20.0%
Total
10
100%
All of the accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 were among children that were
white (70.0%) or African American (30.0%). The majority of accident child deaths caused by drowning in
Nevada in 2019 were among children not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (80.0%). See Table 20.
Table 20. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
2
20.0%
Not Hispanic or Latino
8
80.0%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
10
100%
As seen in Table 21, in all but two of the accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019, the
drowning location was a pool, hot tub, or spa. The two accident child deaths caused by drowning in open
water were among children in the 15 – 17 years age category.
Table 21. Number and percent of accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019 by
drowning location.
Number
Percent
Open water
2
20.0%
Pool, hot tub, spa
8
80.0%
Bathtub
0
0.0%
Bucket
0
0.0%
28
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Well/cistern/septic
0
0.0%
Toilet
0
0.0%
Other
0
0.0%
Total
10
100%
As seen in Table 22, in the majority of the accident child deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019,
the child was not able to swim (70.0%). The two accident child deaths caused by drowning in which the
children were able to swim were among children in the 15 – 17 years age category.
Table 22. Swimming ability of children that died in Nevada in 2019 in accidents caused by drowning.
Number
Percent
Child was able to swim
2
20.0%
Child was not able to swim
7
70.0%
Child’s swimming ability was unknown
1
10.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
10
100%
Finally, as seen in Table 23, in four of the child accident deaths caused by drowning in Nevada in 2019,
there were no barriers to the swimming area. In seven of the deaths, no barrier was breached, and in
eight of the deaths, rescue attempts were made to save the child.
Table 23. Number of accident child deaths involving drowning in Nevada in 2019 with the listed
contributing factors.
Number
of cases
Safety Factors
Child had a personal flotation device
0
No barriers to swimming area
5
Fence around swimming area
2
Gate to swimming area
1
Door to swimming area
2
Alarm for swimming area
0
Cover for swimming pool, hot tub, or spa
0
Safety Breaches
No barrier breached
7
Gate left open
1
Gate unlocked
0
Gate latch failure
1
Gap in gate
0
Child climbed fence to access swimming area
0
Gap in fence
0
Damaged fence
0
Fence too short
0
Door left open
0
Door unlocked
0
Door broken
0
Door screen torn
0
29
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Door closer failure
0
Window left open
0
Alarm not working
0
Alarm not answered
0
Cover left off
0
Cover not locked
0
Rescue Efforts
Rescue attempt made
8
Rescue attempt made by parent
7
Rescue attempt made by other child
2
Rescue attempt made by lifeguard
1
Rescue attempt made by bystander
1
Rescue attempt made by other
2
Appropriate rescue equipment present
1
Note: More than one factor can apply to a case
SUICIDES CAUSED BY HANGING (N = 9)
As seen in Table 24, there were more male children (55.6%) that died of suicide caused by hanging in
Nevada in 2019 as compared to female children (44.4%).
Table 24. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the
decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
5
55.6%
Female
4
44.4%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
9
100%
In Nevada in 2019, all of the suicide child deaths caused by hanging occurred among children in the 10 –
14 years age category (33.3%) and the 15 – 17 years age category (66.7%). See Table 25.
Table 25. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by age
category of the decedent.
Number
Percent
<1 Year
0
0.0%
1 - 4 Years
0
0.0%
5 - 9 Years
0
0.0%
10 - 14 Years
3
33.3%
15 - 17 Years
6
66.7%
Total
9
100%
All of the suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 were among white children (77.8%)
and African American and Pacific Islander children (both at 11.1%).
30
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
The largest percentage of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 were among children
not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (55.6%). See Table 26.
Table 26. Number and percent of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic
or Latino ethnicity of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
3
33.3%
Not Hispanic or Latino
5
55.6%
Unknown
1
11.1%
Total
9
100%
For suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019, the history of the decedents with regard to
mental health, maltreatment, crime, and school are provided in Table 27.
Table 27. History of decedents in suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019.
Number of
cases
Mental Health
Received prior mental health service
3
Was receiving mental health services
3
On medications for mental illness
2
History of use or substance abuse
1
Maltreatment
History of child maltreatment
2
History of child maltreatment – Physical
2
History of child maltreatment – Neglect
1
History of child maltreatment – Sexual
1
History of child maltreatment – Emotional/Psychological
0
History of child maltreatment – Unknown
0
Crime
Delinquent or criminal history
0
Spent time in juvenile detention
0
School
Problems in school
2
Problems in school – Academic
1
Problems in school – Truancy
0
Problems in school – Suspensions
1
Problems in school – Behavioral
1
Problems in school – Expulsions
0
Problems in school – Other
2
Details regarding the circumstances of the suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019 can
be seen in Table 28. The most common circumstance was that the child had communicated their suicidal
thoughts or intentions.
31
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 28. Circumstances of suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019.
Number of
cases
Communicated suicidal thoughts or intentions
6
Child talked about suicide
4
Prior attempts were made
2
Suicide was completely unexpected
2
Child had a history of running away
0
Child had a history of self-mutilation
4
Child had history of suicide of a peer, friend, or family member
1
Suicide was part of a murder/suicide
1
Suicide was part of a suicide pact
0
Suicide was part of a suicide cluster
0
Note: More than one circumstance can apply to a case
For the suicide child deaths caused by hanging in Nevada in 2019, the types of life stressors that the
decedents had recently experienced can be seen in Table 29. The most common type of life stressors
experienced were family discord, argument with parents/caregivers, breakup with boyfriend/girlfriend,
new school, and rape/sexual abuse.
Table 29. Types of life stressors in the recent history of decedents in suicide child deaths caused by
hanging in Nevada in 2019.
Number of
cases
Family discord
2
Argument with parents/caregivers
2
Parents’ divorce/separation
1
Parents’ incarceration
0
Argument with boyfriend/girlfriend
1
Breakup with boyfriend/girlfriend
2
Social discord
0
Argument with friends
0
Rumor mongering
0
Bullying as victim
0
Bullying as perpetrator
0
Cyberbullying as victim
0
Cyberbullying as perpetrator
0
Peer violence as victim
0
Peer violence as perpetrator
0
School failure
0
New school
2
Pressure to succeed at school
1
Extracurricular school activities
1
32
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Other serious school problems
0
Pregnancy
0
Previous abuse
1
Rape/sexual abuse
2
Problems with the law
0
Drugs/alcohol
0
Sexual orientation/gender identity issues
0
Isolation
0
Job problems
0
Money problems
0
Involvement in computer or video gaming
0
Restrictions of technology
0
Social media
1
Involvement with the Internet
0
Note: More than one type can apply to a case
33
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
DEATHS IN WHICH THERE WAS ABUSE OR NEGLECT,
MATERNAL SUBSTANCE USE, OR CPS INVOLVEMENT
DEATHS IN WHICH ABUSE OR NEGLECT CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATH
In Nevada in 2019, there were 80 deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to hazards
caused or contributed to the death. As seen in Table 30, the largest percentage of these deaths were
accidents (48.8%) followed by undetermined deaths (22.5%).
Table 30. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by manner of death.
Number
Percent
Natural
8
10.0%
Accident
39
48.8%
Suicide
3
3.8%
Homicide
11
13.8%
Undetermined
18
22.5%
Unknown
1
1.3%
Total
80
100%
As seen in Table 31, there were more deaths of male children (61.3%) than of female children (38.8%) in
which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the death.
Table 31. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by sex of the decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
49
61.3%
Female
31
38.8%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
80
100%
In Nevada in 2019, the majority of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death were among children under one year of age (65.0%). See Table
32.
34
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 32. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by age category of the decedent.
Number
Percent
<1 Year
52
65.0%
1 - 4 Years
13
16.3%
5 - 9 Years
10
12.5%
10 - 14 Years
1
1.3%
15 - 17 Years
4
5.0%
Total
80
100%
As seen in Table 33 below, the largest percentage of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor
supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the death were among white children
(47.5%) followed by African American children (36.3%).
Table 33. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by race of the decedent.
Number
Percent
White
38
47.5%
African American
29
36.3%
Native Hawaiian
0
0.0%
Pacific Islander
2
2.5%
Asian
3
3.8%
American Indian
1
1.3%
Alaska Native
0
0.0%
Multi-racial
7
8.8%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
80
100%
The majority of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or
contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 were among children not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
(75.0%). See Table 34.
Table 34. Number and percent of child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the
decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
20
25.0%
Not Hispanic or Latino
60
75.0%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Total
80
100%
The types of abuse and neglect indicated in the child deaths in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or
exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019 are shown in Table 35. Other
abuse was indicated in five deaths and beating/kicking was indicated in four deaths. “Other abuse” is a
35
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
response option in the data collection tool and includes types of abuse not listed in Table 35. In Nevada
in 2019, these types of abuse specifically included assault, blunt force injuries, forcible drowning, arson,
and unspecified blunt force trauma.
Table 35. Types of abuse and neglect in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Type of Abuse
Abusive head trauma
2
Chronic Battered Child Syndrome
3
Beating/kicking
4
Scalding/burning
0
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
0
Sexual assault
0
Other abuse*
5
Unknown abuse
1
Type of Neglect
Exposure to hazards
2
Failure to provide necessities – Food
0
Failure to provide necessities – Shelter
0
Failure to provide necessities – Other**
2
Failure to seek/follow treatment
1
Failure to provide supervision
0
Note: More than one type of abuse or neglect can occur in a case
*Cases included assault, blunt force injuries, forcible drowning, arson, and
unspecified blunt force trauma
**Cases included medical neglect
Details regarding the reported events that triggered the physical abuse in cases in which abuse, neglect,
poor supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019 can
be seen in Table 36.
Table 36. Events reported as triggering physical abuse in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision,
or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Crying
1
Toilet training mishap
0
Disobedience
1
Feeding problems
0
Domestic argument
0
None
0
Other
2
Unknown
7
Note: More than one event can be reported
for a case.
36
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
The historical type of abuse or neglect experienced by the decedent in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor
supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019 can be
seen in Table 37.
Table 37. History of abuse and neglect of the decedent in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor
supervision, or exposure to hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
History of physical maltreatment
6
History of neglect
9
History of sexual maltreatment
0
History of emotional maltreatment
1
Note: More than one type of abuse or neglect can occur for
a case.
Table 38 details the CPS involvement in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to
hazards caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019.
Table 38. CPS involvement in cases in which abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or exposure to hazards
caused or contributed to the child death in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases
Evidence of prior abuse
29
CPS action taken as a result of the death
24
Open CPS case with child at time of death
0
Child ever placed in foster care
4
Note: More than one type of involvement can apply to a case
In two of the child deaths in which abuse or neglect caused or contributed to the death in Nevada in
2019, there was child abuse in the form of abusive head trauma. The impact of this abusive trauma
is noted in Table 39.
Table 39. Abusive head trauma in cases of homicide child deaths in which abuse or neglect caused or
contributed to the death in Nevada in 2019.
Number of Cases with
a yes response
For abusive head trauma, were there retinal hemorrhages?
1
For abusive head trauma, was the child shaken?
1
If the child was shaken, was there impact?
1
Note: More than one condition can apply to a case
INFANT DEATHS IN WHICH THE MOTHER USED SUBSTANCES DURING PREGNANCY
There were 25 deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the mother used
substances during pregnancy. The manner of these deaths included natural (44.0%), accident (32.0%),
undetermined (20.0%), and homicide (4.0%).
The majority of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the mother
used substances during pregnancy were among males (64.0%). See Table 40.
37
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 40. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by gender of decedent.
Number
Percent
Male
16
64.0%
Female
9
36.0%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
25
100%
As seen in Table 41, the largest percentage of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in
which the mother used substances during pregnancy were among white children (40.0%) and African
American children (36.0%).
Table 41. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by race of decedent.
Number
Percent
White
10
40.0%
African American
9
36.0%
Asian
1
4.0%
Native Hawaiian
0
0.0%
Pacific Islander
1
4.0%
American Indian
1
4.0%
Alaskan Native
0
0.0%
Multi-racial
2
8.0%
Unknown
1
4.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
25
100%
As seen in Table 42, the majority of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy were among children that were not Hispanic or Latino (68.0%).
Table 42. Number and percent of deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the
mother used substances during pregnancy by Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
7
28.0%
Not Hispanic or Latino
17
68.0%
Unknown
1
4.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
25
100%
Risk factors associated with deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which the mother
used substances during pregnancy can be seen in Table 43. The types of risk factors shown include those
that occurred prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, and indicate exposure to the child.
38
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 43. Risk factors associated with deaths of children under 1 year of age in Nevada in 2019 in which
the mother used substances during pregnancy.
Number of Cases
Prior to Pregnancy
Mother had a history of substance use
16
Substance use included alcohol
1
Substance use included cocaine
0
Substance use included marijuana
9
Substance use included methamphetamines
5
Substance use included opiates
4
Substance use included prescription drugs
0
Substance use included over-the-counter drugs
0
Mother was a prior victim of child maltreatment
6
Mother was a prior perpetrator of child maltreatment
13
Mother’s history included a prior child death
0
During Pregnancy
Mother smoked
10
Mother used alcohol
4
Mother used cocaine
1
Mother used heroin
2
Mother used marijuana
11
Mother used methamphetamines
5
Mother used opiates
4
Child Exposure
Toxicology screen completed on child
23
Toxicology screen was negative
13
Child tested positive for alcohol
0
Child tested positive for cocaine
1
Child tested positive for marijuana
2
Child tested positive for methamphetamines
1
Child tested positive for opiates
5
Child tested positive for prescription drugs
0
Child tested positive for other drugs
0
Child test results unknown
3
Note: More than one risk factor can apply to a case.
DEATHS IN WHICH THE CHILD WAS INVOLVED IN THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) SYSTEM
Of the 268 child deaths in Nevada in 2019, there were 23 in which the child had been involved with the
Child Protective Services (CPS) System. In 21 of these deaths, there was a past history of child
maltreatment of the decedent as identified through CPS. See Table 44 for information regarding the status
of the involvement of CPS with the decedent.
39
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 44. Status of the involvement of Child Protective Services (CPS) System in which there was CPS
involvement in Nevada in 2019.
Number
Percent
Past history of child maltreatment as identified through CPS
21
91.3%
Past history of child maltreatment as identified through CPS and open
CPS case at time of death
1
4.3%
Open CPS case at time of death
1
4.3%
Total
23
100%
As seen in Table 45, homicide deaths accounted for more than one-third (34.8%) of the child deaths in
Nevada with CPS involvement in 2019. The next largest percentage of child deaths with CPS involvement
were natural (30.4%).
Table 45. Number and percent of child deaths in Nevada with CPS involvement in 2019 by manner of
death.
Number
Percent
Natural
7
30.4%
Accident
3
13.0%
Suicide
3
13.0%
Homicide
8
34.8%
Undetermined
2
8.7%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
23
100%
Among the deaths of children in which there was CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019, approximately half
of the decedents were female (52.2%) and half of the decedents were male (47.8%).
In Nevada in 2019, the largest percentage of child deaths with CPS involvement occurred among those in
the 15 – 17 years age category (30.4%). See Table 46.
Table 46. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by age category
of decedent.
Number
Percent
<1 Year
5
21.7%
1 - 4 Years
4
17.4%
5 - 9 Years
6
26.1%
10 - 14 Years
1
4.3%
15 - 17 Years
7
30.4%
Total
23
100%
The majority of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 occurred among white children
(60.9%) and African American children (30.4%). See Table 47.
40
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Table 47. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by race of
decedent.
Number
Percent
White
14
60.9%
African American
7
30.4%
Asian
1
4.3%
Native Hawaiian
0
0.0%
Pacific Islander
0
0.0%
American Indian
0
0.0%
Alaskan Native
0
0.0%
Multi-racial
1
4.3%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
23
100%
The majority of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 occurred among those that were not
Hispanic or Latino (60.9%). See Table 48.
Table 48. Number and percent of child deaths with CPS involvement in Nevada in 2019 by Hispanic or
Latino ethnicity of decedent.
Number
Percent
Hispanic or Latino
9
39.1%
Not Hispanic or Latino
14
60.9%
Unknown
0
0.0%
Missing
0
0.0%
Total
23
100%
41
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
REGIONAL TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS
Each of the regional child death review teams in Nevada are responsible for completing and submitting a
quarterly report form to the Executive Committee to Review of the Death of Children (Executive
Committee). The form requires the team to report the number of cases reviewed each quarter by manner
and leading cause of death and the number of cases requiring a mandatory review as outlined in NRS
432B.405. The form also allows the team to submit recommendations aimed at improving laws, policies,
and practices to support the safety of children and prevent future child deaths. In submitting
recommendations, teams are instructed to:
(1) Submit recommendations related to specific observations and conclusions drawn from the
case review process,
(2) Prioritize recommendations based on case trends (three or more cases within the quarter or
cumulatively), and
(3) Not submit recommendations that have already been made unless additional gaps are
identified.
The Executive Committee reviews the regional team recommendations quarterly, determines whether
and how to take action on the recommendations, and notifies the regional team making the
recommendation of the outcome of their recommendation.
RECOMMENDATIONS RECEIVED
During 2019, only one recommendation was made to the Executive Committee by the regional teams. It
was recommended that dresser straps be added to home safety kits so that caregivers could stabilize
dressers and large furniture thus preventing accident child deaths caused by large furniture overturning
on young children.
ACTION TAKEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS
In discussing the recommendation that dresser straps be added to home safety kits with the regional team
that made the recommendation, the Executive Committee learned that the team was able to obtain
funding to make 150 safety kits and include dresser straps in each of them. Therefore, the Executive
Committee notified the team that the recommendation would be closed and removed from discussion on
their quarterly meeting agendas. However, the team was also informed that a request for dresser straps
would be an appropriate proposal for submission when the Nevada Executive Committee to Review the
Death of Children Public Awareness Notice of Funding Opportunity opens.
42
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS FUNDED BY THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
NRS 432B.409 establishes the creation of the Review of Death of Children Account in the State General
Fund. One dollar of the fee associated with the purchase of a certificate of death through the state
registrar funds this account. The Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children (Executive
Committee) uses these funds to support efforts to prevent child deaths. Each year, the Executive
Committee posts a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for competitive applications to prevent the
death of children with funding priorities based on the leading causes of death in Nevada. The NOFOs for
State Fiscal Years 2019 (7/2018 – 6/2019) and 2020 (7/2019 – 6/2020) prioritized drowning and near
drowning prevention, safe-sleep, and suicide prevention efforts. Below are the programs that were
awarded funding in State Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020 by the Executive Committee.
SFY 2019 (7/2018 – 6/2019)
• Baby’s Bounty ($12,500.00) – Continued funding for their Safe Sleep program
• Crisis Call Center ($12,577.00) – Support of suicide prevention and crisis intervention efforts
• Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention ($15,000.00) – Support safeTALK training and purchase
of medication safes and gun locks
• Desert Rose Counseling ($16,465.00) – Support emergency mental health responses for the
crisis stabilization of rural youth
• Renown Child Health Institute/SAFE Kids ($18,500.00)– Support the development of culturally
competent materials for youth suicide prevention
• Immunize Nevada ($16,465.00)– Support community outreach events and social media
• Prevent Child Abuse Nevada ($7,150.00) – Support the Child Maltreatment Prevention and
Safety Conference
SFY 2020 (7/2019 – 6/2020)
• Baby’s Bounty ($10,500.00) – Continued funding for their Safe Sleep program
• DHHS-Office of Suicide Prevention ($13,140.00) – Training on safeTALK and leadership and
purchase of AR-15 gun locks
• Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) ($3,253.00) – Train-the-trainer training on safeTALK so
that SNHD staff can be trained internally to help prevent suicide
• Washoe County HSA Child Suicide Awareness Prevention ($8,950.00) – PSA media campaign for
children and teens in Washoe County
• Renown Health & The Child Health Institute ($15,000.00) – Increase suicide prevention outreach
to Hispanic and Latino and Native American populations
• Desert Rose Counseling ($15,000.00) – Production of an episode of the Soul Survivor Nevada
Docuseries to fill the gap of available suicide prevention content
43
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
• Crisis Support Services of Nevada ($10,716.50)– Continued funding for the suicide prevention call
center with a focus on child suicide prevention
• Henderson Fire Department ($10,000.00)– Creation of a suicide prevention awareness program
for children and adults
• Immunize Nevada, Healthy Young Nevada ($5,000.00) – Increase the number of community
events for adolescents aimed at reducing the instances of diseases and disorders and increase
membership in Healthy Young Nevada Youth Advisory Council
• Prevent Child Abuse Nevada ($8,800.00) – Continue efforts to provide child maltreatment
prevention training to parents and professionals who work with parents
APPENDIX A: DEMOGRAPHICS OF DECEDENTS BY MANNER OF
DEATH
Age Category
Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Unknown
Total
Under 1 Year
111
29
0
1
21
1
163
1 - 4 Years
16
9
0
6
1
0
32
5 - 9 Years
12
7
0
3
0
0
22
10 - 14 Years
11
4
6
1
0
0
22
15 - 17 Years
8
3
10
5
3
0
29
Total
158
52
16
16
25
1
268
Gender
Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Unknown
Total
Male
89
29
10
11
17
1
157
Female
69
23
6
5
8
0
111
Unknown
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
158
52
16
16
25
1
268
Race
Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Unknown
Total
White
86
24
13
8
13
1
145
African
American
37
15
1
8
10
0
71
Asian
10
3
0
0
0
0
13
Native Hawaiian
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pacific Islander
3
2
1
0
0
0
6
American Indian
0
2
0
0
1
0
3
Alaskan Native
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Multi-racial
13
6
1
0
1
0
21
Unknown
9
0
0
0
0
0
9
Total
158
52
16
16
25
1
268
Hispanic or
Latino Ethnicity
Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Unknown
Total
Hispanic or
Latino
64
13
4
5
8
0
94
Not Hispanic or
Latino
86
39
10
11
17
1
164
Unknown
8
0
2
0
0
0
10
Total
158
52
16
16
25
1
268
County of
Residence
Natural
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Undetermined
Unknown
Total
Clark
126
40
9
14
15
0
204
Washoe
25
7
5
1
5
0
43
Rural
2
1
1
0
1
1
6
Out of state
5
4
1
0
1
0
11
Unknown
0
0
0
1
3
0
4
Total
158
52
16
16
25
1
268
APPENDIX B: DEMOGRAPHICS OF DECEDENTS FOR EACH
MANNER OF DEATH BY YEAR
Natural Deaths
Year
Age Category
2019
2018
2017
Under 1 Year
111 (70.3%)
104 (73.8%)
191 (78.9%)
1 - 4 Years
16 (10.1%)
13 (9.2%)
20 (8.3%)
5 - 9 Years
12 (7.6%)
15 (10.6%)
12 (5.0%)
10 - 14 Years
11 (7.0%)
3 (2.1%)
10 (4.1%)
15 - 17 Years
8 (5.1%)
6 (4.3%)
9 (3.7%)
Total
158 (100%)
141 (100%)
242 (100%)
Gender
2019
2018
2017
Male
89 (56.3%)
86 (61.0%)
133 (55.0%)
Female
69 (43.7%)
54 (38.3%)
106 (43.8%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
1 (0.7%)
3 (1.2%)
Total
158 (100%)
141 (100%)
242 (100%)
Race
2019
2018
2017
White
86 (54.4%)
96 (68.1%)
107 (44.2%)
African American
37 (23.4%)
24 (17.0%)
43 (17.8%)
Asian
10 (6.3%)
5 (3.5%)
17 (7.0%)
Native Hawaiian
0 (0.0%)
1 (0.7%)
2 (0.8%)
Pacific Islander
3 (1.9%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
American Indian
0 (0.0%)
1 (0.7%)
2 (0.8%)
Alaskan Native
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Multi-racial
13 (8.2%)
10 (7.1%)
24 (9.9%)
Unknown
9 (5.7%)
4 (2.8%)
47 (19.4%)
Total
158 (100%)
141 (100%)
242 (100%)
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
2019
2018
2017
Hispanic or Latino
64 (40.5%)
62 (44.0%)
74 (30.6%)
Not Hispanic or Latino
86 (54.4%)
74 (52.5%)
124 (51.2%)
Unknown
8 (5.1%)
5 (3.5%)
44 (18.2%)
Total
158 (100%)
141 (100%)
242 (100%)
County of Residence
2019
2018
2017
Clark
126 (79.7%)
120 (85.1%)
192 (79.3%)
Washoe
25 (15.8%)
18 (12.8%)
26 (10.7%)
Rural
2 (1.3%)
1 (0.7%)
11 (4.5%)
Out of state
5 (3.2%)
2 (1.4%)
12 (5.0%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
1 (0.4%)
Total
158 (100%)
141 (100%)
242 (100%)
46
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Accident Deaths
Year
Age Category
2019
2018
2017
Under 1 Year
29 (55.8%)
28 (47.5%)
22 (37.3%)
1 - 4 Years
9 (17.3%)
10 (16.9%)
12 (20.3%)
5 - 9 Years
7 (13.5%)
5 (8.5%)
5 (8.5%)
10 - 14 Years
4 (7.7%)
4 (6.8%)
9 (15.3%)
15 - 17 Years
3 (5.8%)
12 (20.3%)
11 (18.6%)
Total
52 (100%)
59 (100%)
59 (100%)
Gender
2019
2018
2017
Male
29 (55.8%)
43 (72.9%)
30 (50.8%)
Female
23 (44.2%)
16 (27.1%)
29 (49.2%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
52 (100%)
59 (100%)
59 (100%)
Race
2019
2018
2017
White
24 (46.2%)
37 (62.7%)
33 (55.9%)
African American
15 (28.8%)
11 (18.6%)
11 (18.6%)
Asian
3 (5.8%)
0 (0.0%)
5 (8.5%)
Native Hawaiian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Pacific Islander
2 (3.8%)
1 (1.7%)
0 (0.0%)
American Indian
2 (3.8%)
1 (1.7%)
0 (0.0%)
Alaskan Native
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Multi-racial
6 (11.5%)
9 (15.3%)
6 (10.2%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
4 (6.8%)
Total
52 (100%)
59 (100%)
59 (100%)
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
2019
2018
2017
Hispanic or Latino
13 (25.0%)
15 (25.4%)
18 (30.5%)
Not Hispanic or Latino
39 (75.0%)
43 (72.9%)
38 (64.4%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
1 (1.7%)
3 (5.1%)
Total
52 (100%)
59 (100%)
59 (100%)
County of Residence
2019
2018
2017
Clark
40 (76.9%)
50 (84.7%)
42 (71.2%)
Washoe
7 (13.5%)
5 (8.5%)
5 (8.5%)
Rural
1 (1.9%)
4 (6.8%)
7 (11.9%)
Out of state
4 (7.7%)
0 (0.0%)
5 (8.5%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
52 (100%)
59 (100%)
59 (100%)
47
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Suicide Deaths
Year
Age Category
2019
2018
2017
Under 1 Year
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
1 - 4 Years
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
5 - 9 Years
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
10 - 14 Years
6 (37.5%)
9 (39.1%)
3 (18.8%)
15 - 17 Years
10 (62.5%)
14 (60.9%)
13 (81.3%)
Total
16 (100%)
23 (100%)
16 (100%)
Gender
2019
2018
2017
Male
10 (62.5%)
15 (65.2%)
14 (87.5%)
Female
6 (37.5%)
8 (34.8%)
2 (12.5%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
23 (100%)
16 (100%)
Race
2019
2018
2017
White
13 (81.3%)
15 (65.2%)
11 (68.8%)
African American
1 (6.3%)
4 (17.4%)
2 (12.5%)
Asian
0 (0.0%)
3 (13.0%)
1 (6.3%)
Native Hawaiian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Pacific Islander
1 (6.3%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
American Indian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Alaskan Native
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Multi-racial
1 (6.3%)
0 (0.0%)
2 (12.5%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
1 (4.3%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
23 (100%)
16 (100%)
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
2019
2018
2017
Hispanic or Latino
4 (25.0%)
7 (30.4%)
6 (37.5%)
Not Hispanic or Latino
10 (62.5%)
16 (69.6%)
10 (62.5%)
Unknown
2 (12.5%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
23 (100%)
16 (100%)
County of Residence
2019
2018
2017
Clark
9 (56.3%)
19 (82.6%)
11 (68.8%)
Washoe
5 (31.3%)
2 (8.7%)
3 (18.8%)
Rural
1 (6.3%)
1 (4.3%)
2 (12.5%)
Out of state
1 (6.3%)
1 (4.3%)
0 (0.0%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
23 (100%)
16 (100%)
48
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Homicide Deaths
Year
Age Category
2019
2018
2017
Under 1 Year
1 (6.3%)
7 (25.9%)
7 (29.2%)
1 - 4 Years
6 (37.5%)
9 (33.3%)
10 (41.7%)
5 - 9 Years
3 (18.8%)
2 (7.4%)
0 (0.0%)
10 - 14 Years
1 (6.3%)
1 (3.7%)
2 (8.3%)
15 - 17 Years
5 (31.3%)
8 (29.6%)
5 (20.8%)
Total
16 (100%)
27 (100%)
24 (100%)
Gender
2019
2018
2017
Male
11 (68.8%)
18 (66.7%)
18 (75.0%)
Female
5 (31.3%)
9 (33.3%)
6 (25.0%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
27 (100%)
24 (100%)
Race
2019
2018
2017
White
8 (50.0%)
10 (37.0%)
13 (54.2%)
African American
8 (50.0%)
16 (59.3%)
9 (37.5%)
Asian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Native Hawaiian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Pacific Islander
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
American Indian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Alaskan Native
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Multi-racial
0 (0.0%)
1 (3.7%)
2 (8.3%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
27 (100%)
24 (100%)
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
2019
2018
2017
Hispanic or Latino
5 (31.3%)
8 (29.6%)
10 (41.7%)
Not Hispanic or Latino
11 (68.8%)
18 (66.7%)
13 (54.2%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
1 (3.7%)
1 (4.2%)
Total
16 (100%)
27 (100%)
24 (100%)
County of Residence
2019
2018
2017
Clark
14 (87.5%)
23 (85.2%)
17 (70.8%)
Washoe
1 (6.3%)
1 (3.7%)
2 (8.3%)
Rural
0 (0.0%)
1 (3.7%)
3 (12.5%)
Out of state
0 (0.0%)
2 (7.4%)
2 (8.3%)
Unknown
1 (6.3%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
16 (100%)
27 (100%)
24 (100%)
49
2019 Statewide Child Death Report
Undetermined Deaths
Age Category
2019
2018
2017
Under 1 Year
21 (84.0%)
16 (72.7%)
13 (76.5%)
1 - 4 Years
1 (4.0%)
3 (13.6%)
1 (5.9%)
5 - 9 Years
0 (0.0%)
1 (4.5%)
0 (0.0%)
10 - 14 Years
0 (0.0%)
1 (4.5%)
1 (5.9%)
15 - 17 Years
3 (12.0%)
1 (4.5%)
2 (11.8%)
Total
25 (100%)
22 (100%)
17 (100%)
Gender
2019
2018
2017
Male
17 (68.0%)
12 (54.5%)
12 (70.6%)
Female
8 (32.0%)
10 (45.5%)
5 (29.4%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
25 (100%)
22 (100%)
17 (100%)
Race
2019
2018
2017
White
13 (52.0%)
12 (54.5%)
11 (64.7%)
African American
10 (40.0%)
9 (40.9%)
5 (29.4%)
Asian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Native Hawaiian
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Pacific Islander
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
American Indian
1 (4.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Alaskan Native
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Multi-racial
1 (4.0%)
1 (4.5%)
1 (5.9%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Total
25 (100%)
22 (100%)
17 (100%)
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
2019
2018
2017
Hispanic or Latino
8 (32.0%)
8 (36.4%)
3 (17.6%)
Not Hispanic or Latino
17 (68.0%)
14 (63.6%)
13 (76.5%)
Unknown
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
1 (5.9%)
Total
25 (100%)
22 (100%)
17 (100%)
County of Residence
2019
2018
2017
Clark
15 (60.0%)
16 (72.7%)
13 (76.5%)
Washoe
5 (20.0%)
5 (22.7%)
1 (5.9%)
Rural
1 (4.0%)
0 (0.0%)
1 (5.9%)
Out of state
1 (4.0%)
0 (0.0%)
1 (5.9%)
Unknown
3 (12.0%)
1 (4.5%)
1 (5.9%)
Total
25 (100%)
22 (100%)
17 (100%)
50
2019 Annual Report of Child Deaths in Clark County
APPENDIX C: NUMBER AND PERCENT OF CHILD DEATHS IN
NEVADA IN 2019 BY DECEDENT’S COUNTY OF RESIDENCE FOR
LEADING MANNERS AND CAUSES OF CHILD DEATHS
Clark
County
Washoe
County
Rural
Counties
Out of
State
Unknown
Total
Accidents caused by unintentional
asphyxia
26
(92.9%)
1
(3.6%)
0
(0.0%)
1
(3.6%)
0
(0.0%)
28
(100%)
Homicides caused by assault,
weapon, or person’s body part
12
(85.7%)
1
(7.1%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
1
(7.1%)
14
(100%)
Accidents caused by drowning
9
(90.0%)
1
(10.0%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
10
(100%)
Suicide caused by hanging
5
(55.6%)
3
(33.3%)
0
(0.0%)
1
(11.1%)
0
(0.0%)
9 (100%)
Deaths in which abuse or neglect
caused or contributed to the
death
68
(85.0%)
7
(8.8%)
2
(2.5%)
2
(2.5%)
1
(1.3%)
80
(100%)
Infant deaths in which the mother
used substances during pregnancy
20
(80.0%)
5
(20.0%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
25
(100%)
Deaths in which the child was
involved in the Child Protective
Services (CPS) System
22
(95.7%)
1
(4.3%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
0
(0.0%)
23
(100%)
51
2019 Annual Report of Child Deaths in Clark County
APPENDIX D: NEVADA REVISED STATUTES FOR CHILD DEATH
REVIEW
NRS 432B.403 Purpose of organizing child death review teams. The purpose of organizing multidisciplinary teams
to review the deaths of children pursuant to NRS 432B.403 to 432B.409
, inclusive, is to:
1. Review the records of selected cases of deaths of children under 18 years of age in this state;
2. Review the records of selected cases of deaths of children under 18 years of age who are residents of
Nevada and who die in another state;
3. Assess and analyze such cases;
4. Make recommendations for improvements to laws, policies and practice;
5. Support the safety of children; and
6. Prevent future deaths of children.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 863
)
NRS 432B.405 Organization of child death review teams.
1. An agency which provides child welfare services:
a. May organize one or more multidisciplinary teams to review the death of a child; and
b. Shall organize one or more multidisciplinary teams to review the death of a child under any of the
following circumstances:
1) Upon receiving a written request from an adult related to the child within the third
degree of consanguinity, if the request is received by the agency within 1 year after the
date of death of the child;
2) If the child dies while in the custody of or involved with an agency which provides child
welfare services, or if the child’s family previously received services from such an agency;
3) If the death is alleged to be from abuse or neglect of the child;
4) If a sibling, household member or daycare provider has been the subject of a child abuse
and neglect investigation within the previous 12 months, including cases in which the
report was unsubstantiated or the investigation is currently pending;
5) If the child was adopted through an agency which provides child welfare services; or
6) If the child died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
2. A review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1 must occur within 3
months after the issuance of a certificate of death.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2051; A 2001 Special Session, 47; 2003, 864
)
NRS 432B.406 Composition of child death review teams.
1. A multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child that is organized by an agency which provides child
welfare services pursuant to NRS 432B.405
must include, insofar as possible:
a. A representative of any law enforcement agency that is involved with the case under review;
b. Medical personnel;
c. A representative of the district attorney’s office in the county where the case is under review;
d. A representative of any school that is involved with the case under review;
e. A representative of any agency which provides child welfare services that is involved with the case
under review; and
f. A representative of the coroner’s office.
2. A multidisciplinary team may include such other representatives of other organizations concerned with
the death of the child as the agency which provides child welfare services deems appropriate for the
review.
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2019 Annual Report of Child Deaths in Clark County
(Added to NRS by 2003, 863)
NRS 432B.407 Information available to child death review teams; sharing of certain information; subpoena to
obtain information; confidentiality of information.
1. A multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child is entitled to access to:
a. All investigative information of law enforcement agencies regarding the death;
b. Any autopsy and coroner’s investigative records relating to the death;
c. Any medical or mental health records of the child; and
d. Any records of social and rehabilitative services or of any other social service agency which has
provided services to the child or the child’s family.
2. Each organization represented on a multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child shall share with
other members of the team information in its possession concerning the child who is the subject of the
review, any siblings of the child, any person who was responsible for the welfare of the child and any other
information deemed by the organization to be pertinent to the review.
3. A multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child may petition the district court for the issuance of,
and the district court may issue, a subpoena to compel the production of any books, records or papers
relevant to the cause of any death being investigated by the team. Any books, records or papers received
by the team pursuant to the subpoena shall be deemed confidential and privileged and not subject to
disclosure.
4. Information acquired by, and the records of, a multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child are
confidential, must not be disclosed, and are not subject to subpoena, discovery or introduction into
evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 863
)
NRS 432B.408 Administrative team to review report of child death review team.
1. The report and recommendations of a multidisciplinary team to review the death of a child must be
transmitted for review to the Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children established pursuant
to NRS 432B.409.
2. The Executive Committee shall review the report and recommendations and respond in writing to the
multidisciplinary team within 90 days after receiving the report.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 864; A 2013, 438)
NRS 432B.409 Establishment, composition and duties of Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children;
creation of and use of money in Review of Death of Children Account.
1. The Administrator of the Division of Child and Family Services shall establish an Executive Committee to
Review the Death of Children, consisting of:
a. Representatives from multidisciplinary teams formed pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1
of NRS 432B.405 and NRS 432B.406, vital statistics, law enforcement, public health and the Office
of the Attorney General.
b. Administrators of agencies which provide child welfare services, and agencies responsible for
mental health and public safety, to the extent that such administrators are not already appointed
pursuant to paragraph (a). Members of the Executive Committee who are appointed pursuant to
this paragraph shall serve as nonvoting members.
2. The Executive Committee shall:
a. Adopt statewide protocols for the review of the death of a child;
b. Adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of NRS 432B.403 to 432B.4095, inclusive;
c. Adopt bylaws to govern the management and operation of the Executive Committee;
d. Appoint one or more multidisciplinary teams to review the death of a child from the names
submitted to the Executive Committee pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS
432B.405;
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2019 Annual Report of Child Deaths in Clark County
e. Oversee training and development of multidisciplinary teams to review the death of children;
f. Compile and distribute a statewide annual report, including statistics and recommendations for
regulatory and policy changes; and
g. Carry out the duties specified in NRS 432B.408.
3. The Review of Death of Children Account is hereby created in the State General Fund. The Executive
Committee may use money in the Account to carry out the provisions of NRS 432B.403 to 432B.4095,
inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 864; A 2007, 1509; 2013, 439)
