Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel

The Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel was established in 1992 through Revised Statute 40:2019. The Panel includes a multidisciplinary group of professionals, including state health officials, legislators, law enforcement, coroners, pathologists, healthcare professionals, and other statewide agencies, who meet quarterly to conduct a comprehensive review of the unexpected deaths of infants and children under the age of 15. The circumstances that contributed to each death are examined to identify the cause of death, report on the findings from each review, and develop recommendations to prevent as many future injuries and deaths as possible.

The Panel’s comprehensive review is used to create the Louisiana Child Death Review Annual Report, which reflects infant and child unexpected/injury-related deaths over a three-year period. This data includes multiyear state and regional mortality rates, annual mortality averages, the leading causes of death, and recommendations for child safety and injury prevention.

The most recent report is available here. Learn more by visiting the Child Death Review Program webpage.

Responsibilities of the Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel

  • Ensure the accurate identification and standardized reporting of the cause and manner of every child death.

  • Improve communication and linkages among local and state agencies and enhance coordination of efforts.

  • Improve agency responses in the investigation of child deaths.

  • Improve agency response to protect siblings and other children in the homes of deceased children from unexpected death.

  • Improve delivery of services to children, families, providers, and community members.

  • Identify and mitigate specific barriers and system issues involved in the deaths of children.

  • Identify significant risk factors and trends in child deaths.

  • Identify and advocate for needed changes in legislation, policy, and practices, and expanded community efforts in child health and safety to prevent child deaths and related injuries.

  • Increase public awareness and advocacy for the issues that affect the health and safety of children.

  • Improve investigations of unexpected child deaths.

Goal of the Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel

The goal of the Panel is to develop and promote effective recommendations and strategies to prevent deaths and to keep children healthy, safe, and protected.

Membership

The Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel consists of 28 members, with members appointed by the governor, designated by state agencies, and who serve by virtue of organizational seat as outlined in the statute. To apply or nominate someone for a seat on this commission, please email Kristen.sanderson@la.gov.

Member Name Member Seat
Sen. Regina Barrow A member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate
Pamela Cart One of the four citizens from the state at large who represent different geographic areas of the state. (LA Organ Procurement)
Sara Clark Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee
Laura Clayton-Klienpeter, M.D. Pediatrician with experience in diagnosing and treating child abuse and neglect appointed from a list of three names submitted by the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Rebecca DeLaSalle Commissioner of insurance or his designee
Rep. Jessica Domangue Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives
Cindy Duplessis Director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee
Lisa Freeman Executive director of the Highway Safety Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or his designee
Sgt. Benjamin Friedmann Superintendent of the office of state police or his designee
Dept. Chief Nicholas Heinen State fire marshal or his designee
Rebecca Hook Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or his designee
Laurel Kitto One of the four citizens from the state at large who represent different geographic areas of the state
Natalie Laborde Attorney general or his designee
Gina Lagarde, M.D. State health officer or his designee
Lauren Meher Sheriff appointed by the Louisiana Sheriff's Association
Chief Melanie Montroll Police chief appointed by the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police
Levillia Moore State superintendent of education or his designee
Denise O’Guinn State registrar of vital records in the office of public health or his designee
Estelle Oertling, M.D. Pathologist experienced in pediatrics appointed by the Louisiana Pathology Society
Zachary Popovich District attorney appointed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association
Kathleen Richey The state child ombudsman or his designee
 Robyn Thomas Assistant Secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee 
Rick Wheat  Representative of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families 
 Rebecca Boyd Whittemore, M.D. Forensic pathologist certified by the American Board of Pathology and licensed to practice medicine in the state, appointed by the chairman of the Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel, subject to Senate confirmation 

 

Meeting Information: Schedule, Agendas, and Minutes

The Louisiana Child Death Review Panel meets in person on a quarterly basis. To request an accommodation for a public meeting or event hosted by the Louisiana Child Death Review under the Bureau of Family Health, please contact Kristen.sanderson@la.gov. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, requests for interpreters, accessible seating, large print, virtual attendance, and more.

Meeting Schedule:

2025 Meetings
2024 Meetings
2023 Meetings
2022 Meetings
For more information, contact the Bureau of Family Health Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel Facilitator:

Kristen.Sanderson@la.gov
Bureau of Family Health, Violence and Injury Prevention Program Manager

Surgeon General Evelyn Griffin, MD

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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