Epidemiology of child homicides in Cook County, IL, 2005-2010

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A Northwestern University Capstone Project

Abstract

Background: Violence against children is a serious public health issue, and violence is a major cause of mortality among children. Cook County, IL, which houses Chicago, has drawn attention for its high levels of firearm and street violence. Little information is available surrounding homicide of children aged 0 to 14 in Cook County. Methods: Surveillance data from the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) was used to identify children 14 years and younger who had been victims of homicide, accidental gunshot death, or suicide in Cook County, IL between the years 2005-2010. The demographics of the victims and perpetrators were described as well as circumstances surrounding the victims deaths. Results: Between 2005 and 2010 in Cook County, IL there were 173 cases of child homicide (<14 years old). The two ages groups with the highest incidence of homicide victims were 0-12 months (27.3%) and 13-14 years (24.4%). The most common victims were males (64.7%), blacks (68.8%), and died in the city of Chicago (73.0%). There were 57 firearm related homicides (32.9%) and 52 homicides related to abusive head trauma (30.1%). Young children most often killed at the hands of caregivers while older children are more likely to have deaths perpetrated by nonfamily members relating to street and gang violence. Children whose families had a prior documented history of child abuse were more likely to be killed in their home (p<0.001), be killed by their father (p<0.001) or mothers male partner (p<0.001).

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