LCCS investigated 4,479 allegations of abuse and neglect in 2024, a significant increase of 19 percent from 2023. That jump highlights the critical need for increased resources and support across our community to protect vulnerable children. The total reports involved 5,330 children, up eight percent from the previous year. 1,564 of them were substantiated victims of abuse or neglect, up 9% from prior year.

LCCS served 11,808 children and 4,635 families in 2024. In other words, LCCS touched the lives of one of every eight children in Lucas County in 2024. While child abuse and neglect referrals climbed, fewer children entered or remained in custody—an outcome linked to LCCS ongoing prevention efforts.

The number one reason for case opening was substance abuse by parents (43 percent), followed by parenting/neglect (28 percent), domestic violence (26 percent), and mental health (20 percent). Of cases opened for substance abuse, cocaine and opiate use were the most prevalent drugs contributing to family involvement with the agency.

In 2024, we had a monthly average of 834 children in custody, a decline of ten percent from the previous year. That drop reflects agency efforts to serve children in their own home when safely possible to do so. Nearly all (93 percent) of these children were living in a family environment:

• 69 percent were living in their own home or with a relative while receiving services
• 24 percent were in foster care or a similar placement

Only five percent of children were in non-family settings such as group homes or private institutions. Two percent were living in other circumstances.

In 2024, 75 children were adopted into new families, a four percent decrease from 2023. 277 children were reunified with a parent, more than double the figures from 2023. Another 175 children entered the legal custody of relatives.