Handbook Revision, January 19, 2024

Child Fatality (PATS 14108)

This handbook revision updates CCI policy to align with current practice and follow guidelines about a child fatality.

Note: The section entitled Notifying the Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace of a Child Fatality is renumbered but not revised.

See:

1311.3 Special Investigations Assistance When Investigating Death or Near-Fatal Injuries Incidents

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5300 Investigating Fatal or Near Fatal Injuries Investigations of Fatalities and Near-Fatal Incidents

5310 Investigation of a Child’s Death

5311 Actions in the First 24 Hours

5311.1 Entering Person Details in IMPACT

5311.2 Answering the Question About the Child Fatality Allegation in IMPACT

5311.3 Assessing the Safety of Other Children in Care

5311.1 5311.4 Notifications of a Child’s Death Child Fatality

5311.11 5311.41 Notifying Law Enforcement about a Child’s Death

5311.12 5311.42 Notifying the Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace of a Child Fatality

5311.13 5311.43 Notifications within DFPS

5311.5 Entering Preliminary Findings Related to a Child’s Death

5311.6 Completing the Preliminary Child Death Report (Form 2899e) in CLASS

5312 Staffing an Investigation of a Child’s Death

5313 Documenting the Investigation of a Child’s Death

5314 Completing the Investigation of a Child’s Death

5314.1 Documenting the Cause of a Child’s Death

5314.2 Assigning the Severity of Allegations When a Child Dies

5312 5314.3 Final Findings of the Medical Examiner’s Findings

5314.4 Death Related to Restraints

5313 5314.5 When an Extension Is Needed for Autopsy Results or Criminal Investigation Requesting an Extension Due to Pending Autopsy or Criminal Investigation Results

5315 Supervisory Approval of the Investigation of a Child’s Death

5315.1 Completing the Confirmed Child Death Report (Form 2899e) in CLASS

5320 Investigation of a Child’s Near Fatality

5321 Actions in the First 24 Hours

5322 Supervisory Approval of the Investigation of a Near Fatality

5330 Release of Information for a Child Death or Near Fatality at a Residential Care Operation Releasing Information about an Investigation of a Child’s Death or Near Fatality

5331 Information Required to Be Released before the Investigation Is Complete

5332 Time Frame for Releasing Information If the Fatality or Near Fatality Resulted from Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

5333 Information Released If the Fatality or Near Fatality Resulted from Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

5334 Legal Review of Information to Be Released

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5430 OAG Address Confidentiality