NCJ Number
11402
Journal
Medicine, Science and the Law Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 197-206
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
FAMILY, SOCIAL AND PSYCHIATRIC FACTS RELATING TO 29 CASES IN WHICH THE FATHER, OR SUBSTITUTE FATHER, WAS CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS INFANT CHILD.
Abstract
THE KILLINGS DESCRIBED ARE CHARACTERIZED BY CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH SHOW THE FATHER'S IMMATURE OR UNREALISTIC VIEW OF THE CHILD'S BEHAVIOR. ADULT MOTIVATIONS SUCH AS WISHING TO THREATEN FAMILY STABILITY OR PROVOKE JEALOUSY ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INFANT'S ACTIVITIES. IN ALL CASES THE VICTIM CONSTITUTED THE IMMEDIATE STIMULUS TO THE ACT BY SUCH BEHAVIOR AS CRYING, VOMITING, REFUSING TO EAT OR SMILE, OR BEING WET. ALTHOUGH THE SAMPLE OF FATHERS SHOWED NO SIGNIFICANTLY LOW INTELLIGENCE, HIGH DEGREES OF STRESS AND PERSONALITY HANDICAP WERE EVIDENT. THE ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE SENTENCES THESE MEN RECEIVED, AND THEIR TREATMENT NEEDS BOTH IN AND OUT OF PRISON.