The Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel was created and established by Kentucky Revised Statutes 620.055 for the purpose of conducting comprehensive reviews of child fatalities and near fatalities suspected to be the result of abuse or neglect. The Panel is a twenty member multidisciplinary team of professional including representatives from the medical, social services, mental health, legal, and law enforcement communities, as well as others who work with and on behalf of Kentucky's children. The Panel reviews official records and other relevant information received from a variety of sources: the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Department for Juvenile Justice, medical records including autopsy reports, law enforcement records and records held by an Family, Circuit or District Court. The purpose of these reviews is to become aware of systemic deficits and to make recommendations for improvements to help prevent child fatalities and near fatalities due to abuse or neglect.
For additional information regarding the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, please contact:
Elisha Mahoney, Executive Staff Advisor and Acting Director - (502) 564-8213
*Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected or abused shall report to local law enforcement, Kentucky State Police, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, or Commonwealth's or county attorney. KRS 620.030*
Cabinet for Health and Family Services Child Abuse Reporting Hotline: