In 2023, Kern County reported a total of 136 child deaths, with 64 cases included in a recent review. The findings reveal a concerning trend in child mortality, particularly in the categories of accidental deaths and homicides. Accidental deaths accounted for 39% of the reviewed cases, marking an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Motor vehicle accidents emerged as the leading cause of these accidental deaths, with 13 fatalities, a staggering 62.5% rise compared to 2022.

Homicide rates also saw a significant increase, with 7 cases reported, four of which were due to gunshot wounds. This represents a 133% rise in homicide deaths from the previous year. Conversely, suicide deaths decreased by 33%, with four cases reported, primarily attributed to asphyxia hanging.

The report highlighted that sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) was the leading cause of undetermined deaths, accounting for 78% of such cases. Notably, children under one year old represented 33% of all child deaths reviewed, with a 23.5% increase in fatalities within this age group.

Community partners, including local hospitals and organizations, are actively working to address these issues by providing safe sleep education and resources to prevent unsafe sleep environments, which were identified in several cases. Additionally, the report emphasized the need for increased awareness around the dangers of fentanyl, which has been linked to rising overdose deaths among adolescents.

The Kern County Child Death Review Team has proposed several recommendations aimed at reducing child mortality, including enhancing community education on safe sleep practices, suicide prevention, water safety, and the dangers of fentanyl. These initiatives are crucial as the county grapples with alarming trends in child deaths and seeks to implement effective prevention strategies.