A literature review of 54 articles is discussed, and the examination of 2 major data sources, the Child Abuse and Neglect Inquiry and Reporting System (CANRIS) and the case data files, is reported. The major sources of information that were sought are identified, and an overview of the data analysis procedures is supplied. Attention focuses on the type and disposition of child abuse and neglect reports received by the Texas Department of Human Resources (DHR) and on case involvement with DHR, with other social services agencies, and with the criminal justice system. Victim characteristics are identified, as are the characteristics of the victims' families and of 'significant others.' Case involvement by type of abuse and neglect is also reported. Results reveal that 61 of the 267 deaths studied occurred in 1975, 82 in 1976, and 124 in 1977. Additionally, CANRIS reports indicate that abuse was associated with 39 percent of the deaths and neglect with 40 percent. Victims are shown to have been predominantly preschool age and about equally divided between male and female. Most (45.1 percent) were Anglo, 29.5 percent were black, and 32.9 percent were Mexican-American. Recommendations include (1) training in the continued use of the CANRIS data system for protective services workers, (2) improved interagency coordination, (3) awareness training for DHR personnel, (4) improvement in the quantity and quality of case file information, (5) assessment of the accessibility of health services for Mexican-Americans, (6) increased attention by DHR to neglect cases, and (7) the conducting of annual studies similar to the one for 1975-77. Seven tables and 20 figures are included. Appendixes contain the CANRIS report, a case file abstract form, master lists of CANRIS and case file variables, and annotations of 54 references.