Florida child abuse deaths dip slightly in bad economy

Associated Press
Posted: 7:06 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011

MIAMI — Nearly 200 children were fatally abused in Florida in 2009, a slight decrease from 2008.

The Department of Health confirmed 192 child abuse deaths in 2009 and five deaths from the previous year in a preliminary report released Friday.

Although the number is relatively static from 204 deaths in 2008, it's still a marked increase from 163 child deaths in 2007. Officials said the poor economy and substance abuse played a role.

Drowning was the highest cause of death, claiming 59 lives.

Alan Abramowitz, a member of the review board, said "every one of these drowning deaths is preventable. Someone needs to be watching a child every second."

Fifty-two died from child abuse and 42 died in unsafe sleeping environments such as a parent rolling over on them.

I think the writer is getting his figures mixed up.  The last line clarifies that 52 deaths were alleged to be from child abuse.