According to data from State of Babies, for every 1,000 babies born in West Virginia, almost 25 are removed from their home because of maltreatment.
That’s more than three times higher than the national average, which is 7 per 1,000.
According to the website, West Virginia is home to 54,353 babies, representing 3 percent of the state’s population. As many as 51.5 percent live in households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line, placing them at economic disadvantage. The state’s youngest children are diverse and are raised in a variety of family contexts and household structures.
