Neglect accounts for more than half of all reports of maltreatment, but it is the form of maltreatment we know the least about. Risk for neglect seems to be greatest among children younger than five years old and children in low-income families. Parental stress and lack of social support also considered contributors to neglect. In Alaska, neglect and alcohol addiction are often connected in families.

Neglect is the most common form of harm reported to child protective services, both in Alaska and nationwide. In September 2006, of the 2079 Protective Service Reports made to Office of Children's Services in Alaska, neglect accounted for 60% of suspected maltreatment reports.

From State of Alaska Office of Children’s Services Web Page Statistics http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/Statistics/default.htm

In this activity, you will read some actual case examples of children who came into custody of the State of Alaska Office of Children's Services (then called DFYS) . These examples were documented in the State of Alaska Publication More Child Causalities of Alaska's Hidden War. Published in November 2002.

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Neglect Causes More Deaths Than Physical Abuse

Nationally, neglect, not physical abuse, accounts for the most number of child deaths every year.

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,400 child fatalities in 2002. More than one-third (38 percent) of child maltreatment fatalities were associated with neglect alone. Physical abuse alone was cited in more than one-quarter (30 percent) of reported fatalities. (From Child Maltreatment 2002, Child Welfare Information Gateway Website.)