Child Fatality Review
The mission of the Child Fatality Review Program is to review deaths in order to promote understanding of the causes of childhood deaths and make and carry out recommendations that will prevent future childhood deaths.About & Contact
The state of Tennessee has a team of professionals designed to make accurate, thorough investigations of child deaths. The team is a multi-disciplinary collection of individuals from various occupations that affect child health and safety. The importance of such a team is to collect accurate information in every case of child death, so that a greater understanding can be reached as to the reason for such tragic fatalities, and to learn of any possible preventive measures that can be taken.
The state-level committee reviews child death cases and issues a state level report of findings. In order to better serve families, there are several localized CFR teams that investigate child fatalities. Representatives from various disciplines are chosen to aid communities in the child fatality review process.
Child Fatality Review Teams
Local Review Teams
- Department of Health regional health officer
- Department of Children's Services social services supervisor
- Medical examiner
- Prosecuting attorney appointed by the District Attorney General
- Local law enforcement officer
- Mental health professional
- Pediatrician or family practice physician
- Emergency medical services provider or firefighter
- Juvenile court representative
- Representatives of other community agencies serving children
- Local Education Agency Representative
State Review Team
- Department of Health commissioner, team chairperson
- Attorney General
- Department of Children's Services commissioner
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation director
- Physician (nominated by Tennessee Medical Association)
- Physician credentialed in forensic pathology
- Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Commissioner
- Judiciary member nominated by the Supreme Court Chief Justice
- Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth chairperson
- Two members of the Senate
- Two members of the House of Representatives
- Commissioner of Education
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Child Abuse Prevention Agency Representative
Child Fatality Reports
Each report contains data that represents the review of eligible deaths in children under the age of 18. Alongside these eligible deaths, are the latest mortality statistics for all child deaths across the state of Tennessee. Based on the review of child deaths, recommendations are made with the purpose of reducing statistics and preventing deaths.
Annual Child Fatality Review Reports
Annual Child Fatality Report Infographics
Tennessee Child Fatality Data Dashboard
The Child and Infant Dashboard provides an overview of the events and factors that contributes to both infant and child deaths. The dashboard displays statistics by cause throughout the state, as well as the leading cause of death. To learn more about Child Fatality causes and rates in Tennessee, visit the Child and Infant Data Dashboard or click the button below.
This Page Last Updated: February 6, 2026 at 11:08 AM