The number of Texas children who died as the result of abuse or neglect fell to 156 in fiscal year 2013 from 212 the previous year -- and has declined 30 percent over the previous 4-year period.
A report released Tuesday by Department of Family and Protective Services credited increased early intervention efforts, better access to community services and an improving economy relieving economic stress on families, among other factors.
In fiscal year 2012, Texas confirmed 231 abuse- and neglect-related child deaths. There were 227 such fatalities in fiscal year 2010.
In fiscal year 2013, the most-current data available, 81 percent of abuse and neglect fatalities involved victims 3-years-old or younger, and 58 percent were male.
The largest percentage of victims statewide was Hispanic.
