Host Teresa Huizar speaks with Dr. Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Dr. Sarah Font, co-principal investigators of Lives Cut Short, about the persistent issue of child abuse fatalities and why progress in reducing these deaths has stalled. The episode delves into the emotional impact of child abuse cases, the challenges of accurate data collection, the reluctance to discuss child safety, and the need for systemic changes. They also highlight the importance of transparency and evidence-based interventions, and recommend practical steps that policymakers can take to better protect vulnerable children.

Editor's note: Dr. Font's connection during the interview was inconsistent due to a storm in her area, leading to some glitches in her audio that we worked to troubleshoot. We apologize for the lower quality. Please see transcript for clarity in Dr. Font's answers.

Time and Topic

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:30 Personal Story: The Case That Stuck

02:35 Interview with Dr. Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Dr. Sarah Font

04:14 Challenges in Child Abuse Fatality Data

08:10 State-Level Data and Reporting Issues

25:10 Policy Recommendations and Future Directions

47:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

Drs. Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Sarah Font are co-principal investigators of Lives Cut Short, a join project of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the American Enterprise Institute.

Maryland recorded an alarming rise in child deaths from abuse and neglect. No one noticed; Jessica Calefati, The Baltimore Banner; February 3, 2025

One in Ten; Prediction as Prevention, with Dr. Emily Putnam-Hornstein; Season 1, Episode 7, August 5, 2019

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