Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate

September 30, 2025 Report of the Office of the Child Advocate Child Fatality Review Panel

Published on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent, autonomous state agency tasked with the responsibility of protecting the legal rights of children involved with the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). The OCA functions as the oversight agency to DCYF.

Pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-73-2.3 (b)(1)-(3), the OCA shall convene a Child Fatality Review Panel to review fatalities and near fatalities of children under the age of twenty-one (21) if the statutory criteria are met.
The OCA is announcing the convening of a Child Fatality Review Panel pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-73-2.3 to review twenty-nine (29) fatalities and nine (9) near fatalities of children ranging in age from birth to age six (6), which occurred between 2019-2025. Reviewing these cases is a critical part of our work; regardless of when they occurred, conducting in-depth reviews is essential to identify issues, support prevention strategies, and drive meaningful, lasting change.

The OCA is issuing this press release, as required by statute, to announce the members of the panel. The members of the panel include:

  • Darlene Allen, MS: serves as the CEO and Executive Director of Adoption Rhode Island. She is an advocate for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families locally and nationally through her participation in multiple child advocacy boards, and other groups.
  • Ken Fandetti, M.S.S.S.: previously served as an Administrator at DCYF.
  • Margo Katz: Chief of Program Development, Center for Perinatal and Early Childhood Health, Division of Community Health & Equity, Rhode Island Department of Health. Margo is responsible for the Safe Sleep and Perinatal Substance Use Programs, both of which are tasked with reducing negative outcomes and improving the health and well-being of children and families.
  • Detective Michael Iacone: Cranston Police Detective assigned to the Special Victims Unit and handler of Police K9 Therapy Dog Cali.
  • Margaret Howard, PhD: Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Chief of Clinical Operations, The Motherhood Center of New York.
  • Kristine Campagna: Associate Director of the Division of Community, Health and Equity (CHE), Rhode Island Department of Health. Ms. Campagna works closely with senior level department staff towards RIDOH’s mission to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity for all Rhode Islanders. Additionally, Ms. Campagna holds a strong commitment to engaging community members as key partners in public health and utilizing data to drive action.
  • Tosin Ojugbele, MD, MPH: Primary Care Pediatrician & Medical Director of Community Health and Equity & Environmental Health at the Rhode Island Department of Health. Providing clinical guidance to public health activities enacted by the health department in areas including maternal and child health, perinatal and early childhood health, chronic disease, healthy homes, and more.
  • Rebecca Silver, PhD: is a clinical psychologist at Bradley Hospital, specializing in infant and early childhood mental health. She is also Associate Professor (Clinician Educator) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
  • Barry Lester, PhD: Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the founding Director of the Center for the Study of Children at Risk and Center for Children and Families, Women and Infants Hospital. Organized around the theme of early life influences on behavioral health and development, the Centers were created to address the causes and manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders in children and provide innovative and effective research, interventions and training.

In addition, OCA staff will serve on the panel and provide support throughout the review process.
Following the panel’s in-depth review and analysis of these critical incidents, the OCA will issue a public report outlining the panel’s findings and recommendations for systemic change.

The OCA wants to acknowledge the work underway with our partners in state government to review and implement changes based on the recommendations outlined in the OCA’s report released in May 2025. This critical work remains ongoing as we collaborate to enhance coordination and drive better outcomes for children and youth across various systems.

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