22 Ky. children die of abuse, neglect in past year

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A state report says at least 22 Kentucky children died in the past year as a result of abuse and neglect.

The annual report from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services released Friday says the deaths have decreased in recent years.

The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/OK13zH ) reports there were 31 child abuse deaths for fiscal year 2011, 36 the year before, 29 in 2009 and 30 in 2008.

Child advocates say the drop in child abuse deaths is good news, but 22 is still too many.

The report says 33 additional children were "nearly killed" or sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of abuse in the past year, and a total of 15,699 Kentucky children were abused or neglected over the last 12 months that ended June 30.

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