Investigation into children's deaths overdue

There is nothing more tragic than the death of a child, and few injustices are greater than when those responsible are not held accountable.

That's why the Legislature will be asked to make - and must approve - big changes in the state's policies on reporting and investigating child deaths.

So far this year, more than 40 children have died in Nevada, 10 of whom were in custody or in a child welfare program.

But autopsies and investigations are not mandatory for children who die while in a social services program. Nor is it a requirement that all unexpected child deaths be investigated.

Those are just a few of many changes likely to stem from the team working on improving reporting and procedures related to investigating child deaths. Their work will help even in cases in which deaths are not suspicious. Education campaigns, for example, could help thwart common causes of accidental deaths of children.

All of these changes stem from the work of advocates who said the state was under-reporting the number of child deaths. Between 2002 and 2004, an estimated 10 percent of child deaths were due to abuse or neglect.

Unfortunately, there are many cases nationwide in which cases initially reported as SIDS deaths turned out to be caused by abuse. If the work of the team helps to not only make sure those responsible are prosecuted, but helps stop abusive situations before the deaths occur, they will have accomplished great things.