Report: Homicide ranks high among Baltimore child fatalities

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore health report says homicide was the leading cause of “unexpected or unusual” death for children in the city for a five-year period ending in 2020.

The Child Fatality Task Report says of the 208 such deaths, 69 were homicides. The Baltimore Sun reports there were also 60 sleep-related deaths and 40 identified as accidents. Overall, the number of “unexpected or unusual” child fatalities was lower compared to a period dating from 2011 to 2015. Mayor Brandon Scott says too many young people are still being lost to violence and neglect.

The report also includes prevention recommendations.

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