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Wilson County child-fatality review: 14 cases reviewed, firearms safety identified as a system problem; county to receive state funds
Summary
Wilson County Health Department Director of Nursing Jennifer Dixon presented the child fatality review team's 2023 report: 13 deaths from 2023 plus one carryover, two system problems identified including firearm-safety gaps, and the county will receive $2,495 in state funding tied to a new funding formula.
Jennifer Dixon, director of nursing for the Wilson County Health Department, told the Board of Commissioners that the county’s child fatality review team reviewed 13 child deaths from 2023 and one carryover case from 2022, for a total of 14 cases.
"We identified 2 system problems," Dixon said, adding that the team recommended more firearm-safety awareness and education and proposed attending additional community events, distributing gun locks at events and researching state laws for potential changes. Dixon said the state has changed the law and now provides each county funding based on the five-year child-fatality rate; Wilson County will receive $2,495 under that formula.
Why it matters: The review determines causes and possible system remedies after child deaths. The team identified firearm storage and safety as a recurring system problem and is taking outreach steps, including distributing donated gun locks at community events. The county also plans to use state funds for prevention materials and possibly staffing.
Key findings presented by Dixon:
- Cases reviewed: 14 total (13 from calendar year 2023, 1 carryover from 2022). - Causes of death breakdown given in the meeting: six perinatal conditions, three illnesses, two poisonings, one homicide, one suicide and one undetermined cause (medical examiner unable to determine). - Age distribution: nine cases under age 1; two aged 5–9; one aged 10–14; two aged 15–17. - Race and gender: Dixon reported eight Black, three Hispanic and three White decedents; four were male and 10 female.
Dixon told the board the two system problems identified were a need for more firearm-safety awareness and education; the team plans to attend community events, distribute gun locks and research legal changes. She said gun locks were donated by a suicide-prevention coordinator at ECU Health and that the county partnered with Safe Kids to distribute locks and safety information.
Board response and data limits: Commissioners asked how Wilson County compares with similar counties statewide; Dixon said she did not have a county-by-county ranking available but described Wilson County as "very low compared to other counties" without providing comparative numbers. She also said medical-record collection can be difficult when deliveries or care occurred outside Wilson County and some facilities did not provide records after multiple requests.
What’s next: The child fatality team will continue outreach and distribution of gun locks at community events, produce educational materials and use state funds for prevention and possibly staffing if money remains after purchasing supplies.
