Child Fatality Review Team reflects on impact following two Colorado Springs child deaths
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- An organization that investigates child deaths throughout the state is now looking into a recent death in Colorado Springs and possibly another case.
The Child Fatality Review Team looks into child deaths in Colorado if someone raised concerns of abuse or neglect prior to the child's death. They also investigate egregious and near-fatal incidents of child abuse or neglect.
KRDO has confirmed the CFRT is investigating the death of 14-month-old Cairo Astacio. Court documents revealed that the Department of Human Services (DHS) had been warned about drug abuse multiple times before the toddler’s fentanyl overdose. Both of his parents are facing charges for his death.
It appears the CFRT is also investigating the death of 5-year-old Emily Canales. State data shows they are investigating a death that matches the description of Canales, meaning there were likely prior allegations of abuse or neglect. The age, date of death, location of death, and gender listed in the state data all match up with her case, though the state agency could not directly confirm that it's her case. Both Canales mom and her mom's boyfriend are facing charges for her death.
The CFRT was founded in 2011. Its goal is to look into factors that contributed to incidents of child abuse and make recommendations to state agencies in an effort to prevent future abuse in Colorado.
Marc Mackert, the Director of the Administrative Review Division within the Colorado Department of Human Services, said the CFRT has identified three key areas where services could be expanded to prevent future deaths: mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
Mackert touched on the fact that community involvement is sometimes the only option to keep kids safe if those children aren't yet in school or daycare, or around any other types of mandatory reporters of abuse.
"This is the responsibility of an entire community, not just mandatory reporters, and not just the child welfare system," Mackert said about keeping an eye out for children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
State data reveals that in the past three years, nearly as many community members reported concerns of abuse as mandatory reporters, meaning family and friends reported concerns to DHS almost as often as people legally required and trained to report those concerns. In 2021, 54% of reports came from mandatory reporters. That number sat at 52% in 2020, and 57% in 2019.
The CFRT does not do a full review of cases that didn't have prior DHS involvement, the Department of Health has a separate system in place to look into those deaths.
