Helena police help prevent child deaths in Alabama

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – A Helena police officer joins a statewide team trying to uncover trends that put our children at risk.

Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Sgt. Adam Sample to the state child death review board. This review board to be included in the system of state infant mortality through the public health department.

With a background in crime scene investigation, Sgt. Sample follows in his father’s footsteps by joining this team.

Sgt. Tests will help investigate cases of child deaths and identify ways to prevent them from affecting other children.

This team meets quarterly to review a variety of child death cases, including sudden infant death syndrome. Their goal is to dig deeper into what happened and the factors that led up to the death to come up with a prevention plan.

“The most important mission for the team is to be able to figure out ways to better prevent so we can take that to the governor, the legislators so we can have ways to prevent things through legislation and education,” said Sgt. Said sample.

Several laws and programs like the Graduated Licensing Act have come out of laws like this, which is why Sgt. Sample says they are critical to keeping children safe.

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