When a child dies while in the care of a foster home, it can be traumatic for everyone involved in the child’s care, including his or her biological family, the foster family, and the DFC S staff, among others. During this time, it may be challenging to know all that needs to be done. 

Because the circumstances surrounding the death of a child are unique, judgment must be used in determining the appropriate timing for the steps that must be taken. The child’s death may be caused by a long illness, where relatives and friends have been aware of the seriousness of his or her condition for quite some time. Or, the child’s death may be from an accident, foster parent neglect and/or abuse, or from a medical emergency. Regardless of whether the death occurred in a hospital or elsewhere, an autopsy will be required. 

You must immediately report the death of a child in your home to appropriate authorities, the child’s case manager, and all required DFCS personnel, including the regional director, in the child’s county of residence. 

An internal DFCS review staff member will immediately investigate the circumstances and reported cause of the child’s death, as well as all relevant case information, decisions, and actions involving Child Protective Services. As stated above, law enforcement also is involved in investigating the death of a child in care.

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