In 2022, a total of 1,229 children in the United States died as a result of neglect, making it the leading cause of death due to child abuse or maltreatment. A further 677 children died due to physical abuse in that year.
Number of child fatalities due to abuse in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type
Characteristic
Number of victims
Neglect
1,229
Physical abuse
677
Medical neglect
133
Psychological maltreatment
39
Sexual abuse
9
Other
8
02505007501,0001,2501,500
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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 in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Number of child fatalities due to abuse in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2024). Number of child fatalities due to abuse in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Number of Child Fatalities Due to Abuse in The United States in 2022, by Maltreatment Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Number of child fatalities due to abuse in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/ (last visited April 25, 2025)
Number of child fatalities due to abuse in the United States in 2022, by maltreatment type [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/255040/number-of-child-fatalities-due-to-abuse-in-the-us-by-maltreatment-type/
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