The Lost Children: A Special Report

In the past decade, at least 16 infants and toddlers in Eastern Washington and North Idaho died of abuse at the hands of caregivers including baby sitters, relatives and mothers and fathers. That doesn't include deaths from neglect.

A review of hundreds of pages of internal state reports and court documents shows missed opportunities by parents, social workers and medical staff to safeguard the children. Yet often the children died without a warning to Child Protective Services -- no calls from family friends who noticed bruises or worried relatives.

The deaths offered the states a chance to learn from mistakes. But often, internal child fatality reviews in Washington and Idaho yielded tepid results, if any. From 1999 to 2003, Idaho reviewed 13 child fatalities from a variety of causes. Those reviews resulted in a single recommendation. It has yet to be implemented.

Sunday, April 25

Missed opportunities

Before many of the region's youngest abuse victims died, there were warning signs of trouble -- and chances to save their lives

Reporting by: Benjamin Shors

It's up to coroners to label abuse deaths

States don't require medical training for difficult job

Reporting by: Benjamin Shors

Monday, April 26

Long odds shorten lives

Prevalence of violence taking toll on region's Native American children

Reporting by: Benjamin Shors

Tuesday, April 27

Deciding abused kids' fate a team effort

Tough calls aim to prevent broken bones, broken homes

Reporting by: Benjamin Shors