Deaths of Black Children Increase During Pandemic

Not from covid, but more likely covid policies.  The story notes “The federal data confirm a drop by hundreds of thousands in documented cases of child abuse reports, investigations, substantiated allegations and support for at-risk families. But experts say that’s not necessarily good news — children were out of the public eye during the pandemic, and some cases likely weren’t reported until they became more severe, if at all. The numbers on fatalities in particular are concerning, because such cases are notoriously underreported, said Amy Harfeld, of the Children’s Advocacy Institute. Social workers often investigate a child’s death only if the family had already been involved with a child welfare agency. “The numbers that we know of are not reflective of the numbers that are experienced,” Harfeld said. Federal officials highlighted a 4% decrease in child abuse and neglect-related deaths, though the data also show a roughly 17% increase in the number of Black children who died when compared with the previous year’s report.”

Associated Press