27 young people in State care or known to child and family services died in 2021

Half of those were less than 12 months old and died of natural causes which includes sudden infant death syndrome. Six died by suicide, one less than the previous year

Twenty-seven children and young people in the care of the State or known to child and family services died in 2021. 

This is the second-highest recorded since 2010, behind 30 who died in 2020.