Definition

The count is of confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect ages birth to 5. Children may be counted twice if there was evidence of two separate cases of abuse found. The rate is the number per 1,000 children ages birth to 5. Rates are suppressed with an "S" for counts fewer than 6 to maintain reliability.

Data Source

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Protective Services.

Population estimates are from the Census Bureau.

Notes

Michigan saw a decline in out-of-home placement, investigations, and confirmed reports of abuse and neglect during the pandemic. We believe this to be a result of underreporting as opposed to a true reduction in child abuse and neglect. With kids engaged in remote schooling and families skipping medical check-ups, children may have lost valuable opportunities to interact with mandated reporters, meaning some instances of abuse and neglect may have never been reported or investigated.

The numbers for Wexford/Missaukee are combined for 1998-2009. Grand Traverse/Leelanau are combined from 2003-09. Mecosta and Osceola are combined for 2001-07. In 1999 numbers for Alger/Marquette and Houghton/Keweenaw were combined.

Data for 2008 were found to be unreliable and have been removed.

Data for 2010-2012, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee and Wexford counties were revised on 3/19/20. Data for 2010, Presque Isle county was also revised.

City-level data prior to 2021 were found to be unreliable due to discrepancies within city population counts and have been removed.

Last Updated

2025-04