W. Va. Code R. § 64-20-7 - Recommended Protocols for Review of Child Fatalities

The following are recommended protocols to aid CMITs in the review of child deaths where other than natural causes are suspected:

7.1. The county prosecutor or his or her designee may call for an immediate review of a child fatality when that death is believed to have occurred from other than natural causes;

7.2. In deaths where other than natural causes are suspected and there is a surviving minor sibling in the home, child protective services shall conduct an assessment of the family to determine the safety and well-being of siblings. Such causes of death may be, but are not limited to suicide, homicide, sudden infant death syndrome, and accidents;

7.3. The county prosecutor or his or her designee shall request from the CFRT a copy of death certificates of children that resided in his or her county;

7.4. Once death certificates are received, the prosecutor shall direct the distribution of the death certificates to members of the CMITs;

7.5. Members of the CMITs shall bring with them to team meetings the records and information that their agency possesses about the child, the child's family, circumstances surrounding the death, as well as any other relevant information.

7.6. The county prosecutor or his or her designee shall complete the child fatality review data form to the best of his or her knowledge and send the form to the CFRT within thirty (30) days of review.

7.7. CMITs may defer all reviews to the CFRT.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-20-7