It's being linked to the recession which some experts believe has driven some families to the brink and overwhelmed cash strapped child protection agencies.
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services reported an almost 6 percent rise in child abuse cases in 2008.
In the Chicago area, those cases rose more than 9 percent last year. Some Boston hospitals are reporting twice as many severe inflicted injury cases in children over the last three months as compared to one year ago.
