A recently released report shows that 123 children died in the past fiscal year in the state of Illinois despite having contact with the Department of Children and Family Services. That is the highest number in 15 years. Of those 123 deaths, 24 were ruled as homicides, 37 were accidental, 34 were due to natural causes, 7 were suicides, and 21 remain undetermined. The annual report investigates deaths of children who came in contact with the state agency within the past 12 months. The report covers the fiscal year that ended last June.