Child Murder by Mothers: A Critical Analysis of the Current State of Knowledge and a Research Agenda

Abstract

The results of the review suggest that little is known about the predictors of maternal filicide and that a systematic, focused program of research on reliable markers for maternal filicide is needed to better prevent these events.

Reflections on the care delivered in a suspected case of infanticide

“…Experts also question the fact that such cases are treated differently from other crimes committed by people with mental disorders, that is, through specific legislation (3,8,10) . Data are presented supporting this position, showing that 50% of women who commit infanticide do it in the context of undesired or occult pregnancies (7)(8) .…”

“…The expected punishment is detention of two to six years. Filicide would be the act of killing one's own child (7) , which fits in the same category as homicide crimes, established in article 121 of the Penal Code (6) , with punishment of reclusion from 6 to 20 years. Article 26 of the same code also determines a reduction of penal capacity in cases of mental disease, incomplete mental development or mental retardation of the aggressor, previewing a punishment reduction by one to two-thirds.…”

Child Murder and Mental Illness in Parents: Implications for Psychiatrists

“…In the few years since our analysis of maternal filicide studies, 3 several investigators have utilized national-level data to examine a variety of dimensions of filicide. A recent study 4 in England and Wales (N = 112) described a case series of persons convicted of infant homicide from 1996 to 2001.…”

“…In addition to psychiatric history, risk factors may include violence history, victim characteristics, situational factors, social milieu, and demographics. 3 Furthermore, there are many risk factors for violence and homicide other than mental illness. For example, in the United States, infants at elevated risk for homicide have young, poor mothers who sought prenatal care late.…”

“…For example, in the United States, infants at elevated risk for homicide have young, poor mothers who sought prenatal care late. 3 Laursen and colleagues found that those at highest risk of homicide victimization in Denmark were young children whose mothers were hospitalized because of schizophrenia or mood disorders. A parent's history of prior psychiatric admission is a long-term static risk factor-one that cannot be altered.…”