OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The 1999 Child Abuse and Neglect report released by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services day showed a slight decrease in the number of investigations and confirmations of abuse in the state.

During the fiscal year, which ended June 30, 1999, OKDHS completed 57,026 child abuse and neglect investigations, confirming abuse in 16,217 cases. That compares to 61,709 investigations, which confirmed abuse in 16,710 cases in Fiscal 1998.

While abuse investigations and confirmations were down, 47 children died as a result of abuse and neglect during the reporting year, compared to 45 deaths in fiscal 1998.

During the year, OKDHS received 53,321 referrals of abuse and neglect, of which 35,141 were accepted for investigation and 18,180 were screened out.

On any given day, there are 5,000 children in state custody, with more than 1,600 needing permanent adoptive homes.

State officials say, while the numbers are coming down, there is still a great deal of work to do to help children already in the system. Finding and maintaining quality foster care homes and identifying families who will open their homes for adopting children is a top priority.

Persons interested in becoming foster parents can contact the local OKDHS county office and ask for Children and Family Services. If you are considering adoption, call 1-877-OK-SWIFT (1-877-657-9438) or visit our Adoption Website at: http://www.okdhs.org/adopt