In the United States, more younger children die due to abuse or maltreatment than older children. In 2022, a total of 719 children who were less than one year old died due to abuse. Another 206 children who were one year old died to abuse or maltreatment in that same year.
Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim
Age in years
Number of victims
Less than a year
719
1
206
2
138
3
98
4
89
5
51
6
34
7
23
8
30
9
20
10
30
11
19
12
33
0200400600800
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Based on State submissions to National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) of alleged child abuse and neglect. NCANDS collects case level data on children who received child protective services response in the form of an investigative or alternative response. Each state has its own definition of child abuse and neglect based on standards set by federal law. Child abuse is defined as any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk or serious harm.
Numbers shown here are based on reports of 46 out of 52 U.S. states.
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US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families. (January 29, 2024). Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2024). Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Number of Child Fatalities Due to Abuse or Maltreatment in The United States in 2022, by Age of Victim." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/ (last visited April 08, 2025)
Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by age of victim [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/255018/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-or-maltreatment-in-the-us-by-age/
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