New York State Office of Children and Family Services Child Welfare and Community Services Child Fatality Investigative Files

Chronologically by date of report.

When a fatality occurs, the death is reported to the New York State Central Register (the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) hotline for reporting alleged cases of child abuse or maltreatment) and the local departments of social services report the deaths to OCFS where applicable. The county social services department usually investigates and incorporates investigative information into CONNECTIONS. CONNECTIONS is the statewide automated child welfare information system that was initiated in 1994 and is currently administered by OCFS. County case worker progress notes and other records are also included in this system and can be utilized during an investigation. OCFS only investigates if a death occurred within an OCFS-licensed facility. Pursuant to Section 20(5) of the New York State Social Services Law, investigative agencies are required to create and file with OCFS an investigative report and a plan to remediate any issues. OCFS' Child Welfare and Community Services and legal staff review this investigative material and decide whether the investigative agency did an adequate job. This is called a "60 day determination."

These records document investigations of the deaths of children in foster care and those reported to the State Central Register. The records consist of the summary report of case and supporting materials including data collection sheets, Departments of Social Services reports, cover letters, coroner investigation reports, medical records, police reports, autopsies, and death certificates.

This series was transferred under records disposition number 22601, and includes records from transfer list 150106.

Restricted to protect personal privacy.