Study: Men To Blame In Most Violent Baby Deaths

ST. PAUL (AP) - A new study says male caregivers are responsible for two-thirds of child deaths and near-fatal injuries in Minnesota.

The Child Mortality Review Board carried out the state-mandated study by researching more than 200 preventable deaths of Minnesota children between 2005 and 2009. In most of them, the children were being cared for by unemployed fathers, stepfathers or boyfriends of the mother.

The most common cause of death was abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome. As a result, some health officials say teaching people how to be good parents should start earlier - perhaps as early as junior high.

The study also found women were more likely to be guilty of child neglect than men.