Report on Child Fatality in Delaware County and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Incident Summary

A report has been compiled regarding the death of a 10-year-old female in Selma, Delaware County, on Thursday, August 14. The incident is under investigation by the Indiana State Police (ISP).

• Subject: 10-year-old female.
• Date of Incident: Thursday, August 14.
• Location: Selma, Delaware County, Indiana.
• Initial Circumstances: The child was discovered unresponsive in a vehicle outside her family’s residence. A pre-existing “lifelong documented medical condition” was noted by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department.
• Current Status: The death is not considered suspicious, pending a formal investigation and autopsy.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This case directly relates to the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. The circumstances surrounding the child’s death highlight critical areas within this goal.

1. Child Health and Mortality: The death of a child, particularly one with a documented medical condition, underscores the global challenge of reducing preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age and ending epidemics and other communicable diseases.
2. Access to Healthcare Services: The response by Delaware County EMS and the subsequent autopsy at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital represent the functioning of essential health services required to address emergencies and determine public health outcomes.
3. Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations: A thorough investigation into the death serves the broader purpose of protecting child welfare and understanding health risks, which is fundamental to achieving well-being for all.

Alignment with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The procedural response to the incident demonstrates the importance of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, a core component of SDG 16.

• Accountable Institutions: The decision by the Delaware County Sheriff to request an independent investigation by the Indiana State Police exemplifies a commitment to transparent and accountable governance.
• Rule of Law: The established protocol, wherein the ISP’s findings will be submitted to the Delaware County Prosecutor for review, ensures that the investigation adheres to the rule of law and provides impartial oversight.
• Responsive Public Services: The involvement of the Coroner’s office, law enforcement, and emergency responders illustrates the role of public institutions in providing non-discriminatory services and ensuring public safety and justice.

Alignment with SDG 11 & 17: Sustainable Communities and Partnerships

The multi-agency collaboration in response to this event highlights the principles of SDG 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable) and SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).

1. Community Safety and Resilience: The coordinated presence of multiple local and state agencies ensures a comprehensive and effective response to community emergencies, which is vital for building safe and resilient communities as outlined in SDG 11.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: The incident prompted a collaborative effort that serves as a model for SDG 17, showcasing partnerships between different levels of government and public service entities. Responding agencies included:
   • Indiana State Police
   • Delaware County Sheriff’s Department
   • Selma Police Department
   • Albany Police Department
   • Gaston Police Department
   • Liberty Township Firefighters
   • Delaware County EMS
   • Delaware County Coroner’s Office

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s central subject is the death of a 10-year-old child, which is a primary concern of public health and well-being. The mention of the child having “a lifelong documented medical condition” directly connects the event to health status and the management of chronic diseases, which are key components of SDG 3.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article extensively details the institutional response to the child’s death. It highlights the roles and coordinated efforts of various public bodies, including the Indiana State Police, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, the coroner’s office, and the county prosecutor. This focus on investigation, rule of law, and the functioning of accountable institutions directly relates to the goals of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age and reduce mortality for all children under 15. Although the target specifically mentions under-5s, its broader aim is to reduce child mortality. The death of a 10-year-old girl is a direct event related to this target. The investigation seeks to understand the circumstances, which is a step toward preventing future similar deaths.
2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment. The article states the child had a “lifelong documented medical condition,” which could have been an NCD. Her death at age 10 represents a case of premature mortality, making this target highly relevant.

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. A key purpose of the police investigation described in the article is to determine the cause of death and rule out any violence or foul play. The statement that “there does not appear to be anything suspicious about the death” is a direct result of work toward this target.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article describes a formal and structured process: state police conduct an investigation, an autopsy is performed, and the findings are presented to the “Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman for review.” This procedure is a clear example of the rule of law in action to ensure justice and due process.
3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The coordinated response involving multiple agencies (state police, sheriff’s deputies, local police, EMS, coroner) demonstrates the functioning of these institutions. The issuance of a “news release” and the promise that “Further information will be shared” points toward institutional transparency and accountability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 3

• The article implies the collection of data for mortality indicators. The planned autopsy (“An autopsy was expected to be conducted Friday at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital”) is the official medical process used to determine the cause of death. This information is crucial for tracking Indicator 3.4.1 (Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease) and other child mortality statistics relevant to Target 3.2. The child’s death itself is a data point for these indicators.

Indicators for SDG 16

• The police investigation is a direct mechanism for classifying the nature of a death, which is essential for tracking Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population). The investigation’s purpose is to determine if the death falls into this category or is due to other causes (medical, accidental, etc.). The article’s report on the investigation’s initial findings (“does not appear to be anything suspicious”) is part of this data-gathering and classification process.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thestarpress.com