A total of 7 critical incidents were reported in the first quarter of 2026.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released the latest critical incident data that shows a 63% decrease in child fatalities and near fatalities for those families that had previous child welfare involvement.
DCYF is required by law to review child fatalities and near fatalities that involved maltreatment and had DCYF involvement in 12 months prior to the incident.
In late June, the agency reported 3 near fatalities and 4 fatalities in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
The types of cases seen in Q1 2026 includes opioid use, chronic medical neglect and safe sleep incidents. These 7 critical incidents are a sharp contrast from the 22 critical incidents in Q1 2025.
The significant decrease aligns with current DOH data that shows a decrease in opioid-related overdoses over the last two quarters.
To address the increase in critical incidents, DCYF made several practice and services updates. Since June 2025, child welfare staff are required to conduct safe child consults for children 3 and under before a case can be closed. In 2025, 3,360 Safe Child Consults were completed – 39% of those involved High Potency Synthetic Opioids (HPSO).
While data for the second quarter is not yet ready for release, DCYF is continuing to see similar, smaller numbers.
Learn more about DCYF-reviewable critical incidents.
