Idaho Overhauls Troubled Coroner System Amidst Critically Low Child Autopsy Rates

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Idaho Overhauls Troubled Coroner System Amidst Critically Low Child Autopsy Rates

Idaho is embarking on a comprehensive effort to reform its deeply flawed coroner system, a move spurred by critical investigative journalism that has exposed systemic deficiencies, particularly concerning the handling of child and infant deaths. Reports by ProPublica have illuminated how legislative inaction has repeatedly failed to address issues that cause profound distress to grieving families, prompting the state to finally take decisive action.

At the forefront of these reforms is a new legislative proposal being developed by an advisory panel established last year at the behest of Governor Brad Little. This panel is working on drafting legislation that would mandate autopsies in a range of sensitive circumstances, with a particular emphasis on the unexplained deaths of children. A crucial component of the proposed legislation involves establishing a mechanism to financially support coroners in conducting these autopsies, contingent upon their attainment of national certification. This certification would serve as a rigorous benchmark, ensuring that coroners possess the requisite skills and knowledge to meet established standards of practice.

The proposed legislative framework draws inspiration from a similar, successful model implemented in the neighboring state of Washington. To fund the crucial autopsy reimbursements, the legislation plans to increase fees levied on death certificates issued within Idaho. This revenue stream is intended to provide a sustainable financial base for the enhanced autopsy services, addressing the long-standing issue of inadequate funding that has plagued the state's death investigation system.

The urgency for these reforms is underscored by a detailed review of hundreds of death records conducted by ProPublica in 2024. This review revealed alarming instances where coroners failed to adhere to national standards when investigating the deaths of children and infants. Compounding these findings, a state oversight report starkly highlighted Idaho's position at the bottom of the U.S. rankings for autopsy rates in cases of unexpected child or infant mortality. The state's Office of Performance Evaluations identified insufficient funding as a primary culprit behind these systemic failures.

Further scrutiny of coroner training records by ProPublica uncovered a disturbing pattern: a significant number of Idaho coroners were not fulfilling the mandatory continuing education hours required by state law. This lapse in training raises serious questions about the competence and preparedness of officials tasked with investigating sensitive deaths. Subsequent reporting in 2025 delved into how potentially suspicious fatalities could easily be overlooked or inadequately investigated within Idaho's chronically underfunded and understaffed system.

The composition of the advisory panel tasked with developing this critical legislation reflects a broad consensus-building effort. It includes seven county coroners, a deputy coroner, representatives from city, county, and state law enforcement agencies, a deputy county prosecutor, a county commissioner, and a tribal member. This diverse group brings a wide array of perspectives and expertise to the table, aiming to create a robust and effective system.

Kelli Brassfield, who serves as co-chair of the panel and also functions as a lobbyist representing Idaho's county governments, has cautioned that the proposed legislation may not be ready for consideration during the upcoming 2026 legislative session. However, she emphasized the historical significance of this collaborative effort, noting that it represents the first time in decades that coroners and various local and state officials have united behind a clear strategy to improve Idaho's death investigation protocols.

Historically, Idaho's death investigation system has been predominantly funded by individual counties. This decentralized funding model has often led to resistance from county officials regarding mandates for autopsies, which can incur substantial costs, often running into thousands of dollars per procedure. During a committee meeting in January, Brent Mendenhall, a commissioner from Madison County, expressed strong support for the draft legislation and the push for increased autopsy utilization. "When I hear that a commission or any county has turned down an autopsy, it just makes me shudder," Mendenhall stated, reflecting on the potential lack of closure for families. "I just think, ‘What are you doing to that family that doesn’t know what happened?’" He further elaborated that the proposed legislation would empower coroners facing budgetary constraints to formally request necessary funds from their county commissioners, citing the law as justification.

Senator Melissa Wintrow, a Boise Democrat, is also co-chairing the advisory panel. She acknowledged that ProPublica's reporting played a pivotal role in raising public and official awareness about the severe consequences of a dysfunctional death investigation system. "Here’s the system going wrong, and your reporting shines a light on it," she remarked, underscoring the investigative journalism's impact.

Jimmy Roberts, Bingham County Coroner and a member of the panel, shared insights into the motivations driving the reform efforts. He relayed that Senator Wintrow has consistently expressed a desire to move beyond negative media attention surrounding the coroner system, stating that a key motivator is "she doesn’t want to see the coroner system in the media or in the news any longer." This sentiment reflects a broader desire to restore public trust and professional credibility.

Idaho's governor had previously signaled his support for enhancing resources for coroners over a year prior, but legislative action on the matter did not materialize. In the 2025 legislative session, Senator Wintrow successfully championed modest reforms that clarified the respective roles of coroners and law enforcement agencies in death investigations. Additionally, in response to ProPublica's reporting, a new series of intensive training courses has been developed for coroners, law enforcement officers, and other relevant personnel across the state. These courses are specifically designed to equip them with the skills needed to effectively handle child and infant deaths, funded by a grant.

Ekhbary News Agency