ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Buncombe County Community Child Protection Team and Child Fatality Prevention Team reviewed the deaths of 20 children who lived in the county at the time of their deaths in 2023.
In their report, the teams identified system problems, made recommendations to address them and took action to implement changes.
That report is set to be presented to Buncombe County commissioners during the board’s meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday in commission chambers on the third floor of 200 College St.
According to the report, the full team met nine times in 2024 and twice more in 2025 to complete the required reviews for 2023. A subcommittee also met once in November 2024 to review cases less likely to involve systemic issues. That meeting was held after regular sessions were canceled because of holidays and recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene.
Of the 20 child deaths, 12 involved infants, the report said. Accidental fatalities included one case of anaphylaxis following exposure to a known allergen and one case in which a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.
Deaths related to perinatal conditions included five extremely premature births, two cases of placental abruption and one home birth with complications, according to the report. Two deaths were categorized as Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths. Both were ruled undetermined but involved unsafe sleep environments and co-sleeping.
All fatalities by race/ethnicity:
- 12 White/non-Hispanic
- 3 Black/non-Hispanic
- 2 White/Hispanic
- 1 Other/Hispanic
- 1 Pacific Islander/non-Hispanic
- 1 American Indian/non-Hispanic
Infant fatalities by race/ethnicity:
- 7 White/non-Hispanic
- 2 Black/non-Hispanic
- 2 White/Hispanic
- 1 Pacific Islander/non-Hispanic
All fatalities by gender:
- 9 females
- 11 males
Infant fatalities by gender:
- 4 females
- 8 males