Children's homicides, suicides up in L.A. County
By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer
Child homicides in Los Angeles County soared 31 percent and suicides jumped 70 percent from 2007 to 2008, a troubling trend that experts say may be a consequence of the economic downturn.
The annual report released today by the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect said 34 children were killed by parents, relatives or caregivers in 2008, compared with 26 the previous year.
Suicides among local youths jumped from 10 to 17.
The ICAN study period coincided with the mortgage meltdown, leading to the collapse of the real-estate market and triggering a deep recession. Some experts suggested a link between money troubles and increased violence against children.
BY THE NUMBERS
34 Child homicides, L.A. County, 2008, up by 31 percent from the prior year
26 Child homicides, L.A. County, 2007
17 Child suicides, L.A. County, 2008, up by 70 percent from the prior year
10 Child suicides, L.A. County, 2007
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