NUMBER OF CHILDREN DYING FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT KNOWN TO CPS AGENCIES IS INCREASING

Christopher Velasquez, a lively 2-year-old, and his 9-month-old sister, Brooklyn, tragically died on March 26, 2018, after being left in a hot car for several hours. Brooklyn, who hadn’t yet learned to walk, was often held by someone, as remembered by her uncle, Vincent Velasquez. The family believes their deaths could have been prevented. Their deaths are among at least 165 child fatalities confirmed by the Department of Child Safety since 2015, due to abuse and neglect.