West Virginia lawmakers frustrated over lack of child fatality data submitted by CIRT

West Virginia lawmakers say they were left frustrated Monday after receiving limited information about child fatalities reviewed by the state’s Critical Incident Review Team (CIRT).

State lawmakers say they're frustrated following a joint committee meeting on Monday, during which the state's Critical Incident Review Team could not provide key data about child fatality reports.

West Virginia lawmakers frustrated over lack of child fatality data submitted by CIRT

Robert Fields | WVOW News

CHARLESTON The Joint Subcommittee on Children and Families was expecting to examine findings from CIRT’s initial report. Instead, lawmakers said the report lacked key information they need to identify trends and determine how state laws and policies could be improved.

CIRT was created through a 2025 child welfare law following the death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller in Boone County.

The team is responsible for reviewing child fatalities and other critical incidents within a 45-day period and providing findings to lawmakers and the public. Of 32 critical incidents referred to CIRT, 29 involved child fatalities. However, the team reviewed only 12 cases.

Delegate Adam Burkhammer, the subcommittee’s vice chairman, questioned why lawmakers received only three major findings from those cases.

One concern identified by CIRT was the 45-day review requirement implemented by the Legislature. The team said in many cases, that requirement cannot be met due to delays in medical examiner reports which can push the process back by six to 12 months.

Seven of the 12 cases reviewed by CIRT were identified as involving abuse or neglect. However, lawmakers said the report provided little information about those cases. The other recommendations involved increased education about the risks of infant deaths associated with co-sleeping and expanded mental health resources to address teen suicide.

Lawmakers said they need more information to identify patterns in child fatalities and determine whether changes are needed in state law, policy or the child protective services system. When Delegate Kayla Young asked why 20 of the 32 referrals were screened out of the review process, Kendra Boley Rogers, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Social Services, said she did not know.

The limited information also raised concerns about whether CIRT is operating with enough independence while under the Department of Human Services.

During the previous legislative session, lawmakers unanimously passed a bill that would have moved management of CIRT to the Office of Inspector General. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey vetoed that bill, saying the change would upend the program.

Lawmakers now say they need more detailed information from CIRT to determine whether the current system is adequately protecting children.

PHOTO | West Virginia Explorer