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Rutherford County DSS reports six 2023 child fatalities linked to co-sleeping, outlines safe-sleep outreach
Summary
DSS Director Amanda Hunt told commissioners the county’s child protection and fatality team reviewed six 2023 deaths tied to co-sleeping and described awarded safe-sleep grant work, including a partnership with a schools' robotics team to build an educational tool.
Rutherford County Department of Social Services Director Amanda Hunt presented the annual Child Protection and Child Fatality Prevention Team report and requested the board accept the recommendations.
Hunt said the team reviewed six child fatalities in 2023 and identified co‑sleeping as a common contributing factor. To reduce future deaths, DSS will place safe‑sleep educational materials in county facilities, ensure social workers carry printed materials to families, and pursue partnerships with health providers, pediatricians and hospitals to provide consistent prenatal and safe‑sleep messaging.
Hunt said DSS applied for and received a safe‑sleep grant; one funded activity pairs the Rutherford County Schools robotics team with DSS to develop an educational demonstration or interactive technology that will circulate through schools and public venues to teach children and families about safe-sleep practices. Hunt asked the commissioners to support the team’s recommendations, appoint required members and approve the annual report; the board accepted the report by voice vote.
Commissioners asked about open vacancies on the team and possible ways to identify parent representatives; Hunt said staff has candidates in mind for at least one slot and the board discussed pursuing names through law‑enforcement records and judicial contacts.
The accepted report includes ongoing outreach steps and a request that the commission provide leadership to encourage agency collaboration.
