Audit: DCS has not been fully reporting information on deaths, near deaths of children
A new state comptroller's audit has found that the Department of Children's Services has not been fully reporting — and in some cases still hadn't reported — information about the deaths and near deaths of children in 2023 and 2024 who had been involved with DCS. The delayed reporting has reduced transparency and accountability of the department's work in investigating cases of deaths and near deaths. "As a result, the public may lack critical information needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tennessee's child protection system in a timely manner," the audit said. The finding in the December 2025 performance audit was one of several that revealed DCS continues to have [...]