BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The newly released annual Child Death Review Report shows child death rates have decreased in Kern County over the last five years. However, they're still much higher than the state and national averages.

The Child Death Review is an annual report that aims to identify suspicious deaths of children under the age of 18.

A total of 128 children died in Kern county last year. Forty-seven of those death could've been prevented, according to the coroner's office.

The 35-page report examines each preventable death from last year. 2024 saw the lowest rates of child abuse and neglect over the last five years.

"I'm encouraged again by the decrease, but one -- one, is too much. I want to get to zero," said District 3 Supervisor Jeff Flores. "We need to do everything

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