When Caregivers Kill Understanding Child Murder by Parents and Other Guardians

by Alt, Betty L.; Wells, Sandra K.

• ISBN13: 9781442200777
• ISBN10: 1442200774
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-04-16
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

Each year in the U.S. hundreds of children under the age of ten are killed by parents, relatives, or other caregivers. In recent years, families have become less dependent on kinshipo and neighborhood relationships, so they may become nearly invisible to those who might otherwise be involved in their activities. Because of this isolation, danger to children often does not become visible to the public until the child is injured or, worse, dead. This book offers an overview of the various caregivers involved in child homicide. It covers murders committted by mothers, fathers, babysitters, and others and examines the common circumstances that lead to such violence. Using cases throughout, the authors reveal the extent and nature of child homicide in chilling detail. Readers will come away from the book with a greater understanding of the problem--the triggers that lead to child homicide, the motives and means, what killers have in common, and how to prevent and address child homicide.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Reasons for Child Murder	p. 5
Mothers Who Kill	p. 23
Fathers Who Kill	p. 53
Other Caretakers Who Kill	p. 79
Child Murder and the Court System	p. 103
Searching for Prevention	p. 115
Bibliography	p. 127
Index	p. 147
About the Authors	p. 151
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