The Investigation Process

Following the sudden or unexpected death of an infant or young child, a series of investigations may be automatically triggered. Depending on the location where death occurred, these investigations can involve multiple agencies, including the local medical examiner or coroner, the child welfare system (such as a Department of Children and Families or Child Protective Services), and law enforcement—often under the direction of a District/County Attorney’s Office.

These investigations can be especially challenging, particularly for families as they navigate their overwhelming grief. Investigators may appear and disappear without notice, and the involved agencies may operate independently with little coordination. This can lead to confusion of roles—especially when similar questions have already been answered multiple times.

Despite these difficulties, remaining engaged in the investigative process is important. Many families express a desire to understand what caused their child’s death, and participating in the investigations can support that pursuit of clarity.

In the case of child welfare investigations specifically, it is important that families understand their rights throughout the process, including the right to appeal decisions they believe were made in error (known in many states as a fair hearing).