Abuse, Neglect Linked to Hundreds of Child Deaths

A new Associated Press report is exposing a serious national problem with child abuse. The report found at least 786 children died of abuse or neglect in the U.S. in the past six years.

The AP statistics show many of the children were beaten, starved or left alone to drown. Many of the children were under the age of 4, and their cases were already being investigated by child protection authorities.

To determine that number the AP canvassed all 50 states, the district of Colombia, and all branches of the military.

The AP reviewed thousands of pages of official reports, child fatality records and police documents for the period in question, which ran from fiscal year 2008 through 2013.