LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A new report shows a spike in the number of child deaths linked to abuse in Nebraska this year, prompting calls for action from state leaders.

In many cases, the state's child protection system failed to help the children, a review compiled by the Nebraska State Foster Care Review Board showed.

In the last five years, 21 children in Nebraska have been killed directly because of child abuse or in cases linked to potential abuse or neglect - 10 of them in 2003, the report said. Deaths reported this year include that of 2-year-old Diana Molina of Grand Island, whom authorities say was beaten to death in June by her father after the toddler wet her bed.

The most recent case occurred 11 days ago, when 21-month-old Alexandria Springer of Omaha died from head injuries. The boyfriend of the child's mother has been charged with the girl's beating death.

Of the 21 cases in the last five years, Child Protective Services had reports of abuse on nine of them, said Carol Scott, executive director of the state Foster Care Review Board.

Her staff's research shows that in some cases, multiple reports were made to Child Protective Services.

"If there would have been a thorough investigation and assessment of risk, they maybe would be alive today," Stott said.

The Foster Care Review Board is gathering statistics and information about what the state's child welfare system knew and when it knew it.

Last week, Stott and others involved met with Gov. Mike Johanns to show what they've found and offer recommendations for change.

"There is no question, when you look at the data, that in 2003 ... we have had a significant spike in children's deaths, which I find absolutely unacceptable," Johanns said. The deaths are perplexing, he said, because there has not been a jump in reported cases.

"So somehow we have to get to the bottom of what's going on here," the governor said.

Johanns said he plans to round up a panel of experts as soon as possible - including county attorneys, judges, health and human services officials and law enforcement - to come up with recommendations on how to address this rise in child deaths.

He hopes to get recommendations within about 60 days, he said.

The panel will take into consideration the recommendations made by the foster care review board, but he wants to take a comprehensive approach.

"I want to make sure the whole child protection system joins me in an effort to get to the bottom of this," Johanns said. "I'm confident that will happen."

Stott says the Foster Care Review Board's review points out systemic problems: a lack of training, communication and resources. There are too many situations where follow-up doesn't occur and the various parts of the system aren't working together, Stott said.

"What we need to do is clarify who's doing what and fund them and train them to do it," she said.

Last year, a federal review pointed out a number of problems already noted by the foster care review board, and gave the state's child welfare system low marks on 80 percent of the areas reviewed.

The Nebraska Health and Human Services System did its own internal assessment before the federal review.

The department identified a number of changes it needs to make in the way and how quickly it responds, said Maria Lavicky, protection and safety administrator for the state agency's eastern service area.

In July, the department began a pilot program in Omaha on a more specialized system for taking reports. The department will begin statewide training later this month.

The Nebraska State Foster Care Review Board reports there have been 21 child deaths not related to accidents  since 1998 in Nebraska. In nine cases, which are indicated by an asterisk, the review board found that Child Protective Services had reports alleging abuse.
2003
*Alexandra Springer, 2, Omaha, died Aug. 27. On admittance to the emergency room, her brain stem was swollen and she was bleeding from her ears. She also had suffered head-to-toe bruises. Mother's boyfriend booked on felony child abuse. Mother not charged.
*Vanessa Renee Casillas, 13, North Platte, died Aug. 8 in Overton, after falling more than 100 feet down a grain elevator shaft. Her blood alcohol content was 0.023. Four people have been charged in the incident, with crimes ranging from selling alcohol to a minor to felony child abuse.
Torrance Woods, 10 weeks, North Platte, died July 29 of injuries. She also suffered rib fractures and showed signs of shaken-baby syndrome. Father charged with felony child abuse. Mother not charged.
Diana Molina, 2, Grand Island, died in July of head injury or possible blood loss after her father allegedly struck her with a belt 60 to 100 times for wetting the bed. Parents arrested and charged with felony child abuse resulting in death; father also charged with felony kidnapping.
* Rebecca WIlliams, 13, Omaha, found dead June 18, two weeks after being reported missing. Cause not released. No arrests made; investigation continues.
* Jayden Swartwood, 4, North Platte, died in June in Omaha. He was found barely conscious after being trapped in car trunk. No charges filed.
James Dexter, 2, Omaha, died June 12 of severe scalding after being forced
to sit in tub of hot water for five minutes. Mother's boyfriend charged with felony child abuse.
* Brianna Pope, 3, Omaha, died May 10 of blunt trauma to chest, abdomen and extremities. She also suffered from severe dehydration. Stepfather charged with felony child abuse resulting in death.
* Jaclona Flemming, 11/2, Omaha, died March 17 of shaken baby syndrome. Mother booked on suspicion of felony child abuse, is awaiting trial.
Brendan Gonzalez, 4, Plattsmouth, reported missing in January and presumed dead. Father Ivan Henk(?) charged with first-degree murder on Aug. 30.
Vivianna Muro, 9 months, Lexington, taken off life support Oct. 28 after it was determined she was brain dead because of fractured skull. She also suffered 10 broken ribs as well as broken fingers. Both parents charged with felony child abuse and awaiting trial.
Taylor Haase-Cross, 3 months died May 27 from shaking. Father Bradley G. Haase sentenced Aug. 18, 2003, to up to 10 years for felony child abuse resulting in death.
*Darvell Gulley, 13, Lincoln, a state ward for two years, died April 27 of asphyxiation after being physically restrained at a home run by Developmental Services of Nebraska. No criminal charges filed.
Annette Hirsch, 2, Alliance, died in February from multiple blunt force injuries to the head. Her grandmother was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to more than 25 years. Authorities said the grandmother hit the child, causing the toddler's head to slam against a bathtub.
2001
Peyton Duane Krelkemeler, 4 months, Plattsmouth, died Sept. 1 of shaken-baby syndrome. His day care provider was sentenced to up to 15 years for manslaughter.
*Quincey Simmons, 3, Omaha, died March 24 of blunt force trauma to head. Foster mother is serving 6-15 years in prison after pleading no contest to manslaughter in a plea agreement.
*Maximililan Ward, 2, Omaha, died March 7 after receiving no treatment for scalding bums sustained a day earl when his mother's boyfriend put him in a hot bathtub as punishment. The couple was accused of burying his body in makeshift grave, where it was found January 2002. His mother and boyfriend were charged with child abuse. The boyfriend was sentenced to at leas1 years; his mother awaits trial.
Timothy Stanley, less than 2 m< old, taken off life support June 23 b cause of brain death caused by injuries sustained June 11. His father senior Air Force airman at Offutt Air Base, was sentenced to Leavenworth Penitentiary for involuntary manslaughter.
Adam Gomez, 3, Scottsbluff, killed by mother's boyfriend, Raymond Mata mid-March. Adam's body parts were found in a freezer, in dog food bag a dog bowl. Mata sentenced to death first-degree murder, kidnapping and, dismemberment.
Wyatt Campbell, 22 months, Lir died Oct. 10 from head trauma. His mother Francisca Pleines, and her
boyfriend, Vernon Hayes Jr., are both serving 22-30 years in connection w the death. Prosecutors said Pleines kicked the boy and punched him in t head two days before he died and that Hayes struck the boy in the head numerous times in the hours before he was taken to a Lincoln hospital.
Jamarella Hicks, 9 months, Omaha, died March 14 of shaking.  Mother's boyfriend sentenced to 20-22 years.
Source: Foster Care Review Board Lincoln Journal Star archives