The Nation - News from Jan. 27, 1987

Reported deaths of abused and neglected children increased 29% last year in 24 states, and the head of a group that compiled the figures said that state agencies are getting too overburdened to cope with the problem. Anne H. Cohn, executive director of the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse in Chicago, said there is a need for early treatment for child abusers. The group said 498 child abuse or child neglect deaths were reported last year in the 24 states that have compiled and reported statistics, an increase of 29% over the 386 the states reported in 1985.