In the United States, more children died due to abuse or maltreatment at the hands of their parents than in other relationships. In 2022, around 363 children died due to abuse by two parents, and 473 children died due to abuse by their mother.
Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship
Characteristic
Number of victims
Mother
473
Two Parents of Known Sex
363
Father
226
Mother and Nonparent
161
Relative
73
Other
53
Two Parents and Nonparent
26
Child Daycare Provider
21
Father and Nonparent
21
More than One Nonparental Perpetrator
20
Unmarried Partner of Parent
17
One or More Parents of Unknown Sex
8
Legal Guardian
7
050100150200250300350400450500550
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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 43 out of 52 U.S. states.
Citation formats
Veera Korhonen
Research expert covering United States data for society
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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 perpetrator relationship [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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 perpetrator relationship." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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 perpetrator relationship. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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 Perpetrator Relationship." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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 perpetrator relationship Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/ (last visited April 18, 2025)
Number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/255033/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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