When Caregivers Kill

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 kinship 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 committed 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.

From mothers who kill their children in postpartum fugues, to fathers who murder their kids for revenge against an estranged wife, the stories in this book are chilling yet real, and bring home the message that children are vulnerable to violence even in the care of those who should love and protect them the most. Sadly, child murder by parents and caregivers happens more frequently than one might guess, and while each case is different, there are often warning signs that something might be amiss. Signs of physical abuse may precede the ultimate act of murder. A mother's mental state after the birth of a child may signal true distress and the potential for extreme actions. No one can predict with certainty when a parent or other caregiver may snap, but here Alt and Wells examine many cases of child murder to find out what they have in common, how we might prevent such violence, and what more we can do to protect children in potentially explosive situations.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Reasons for Child Murder
Chapter 3 Mothers Who Kill
Chapter 4 Fathers Who Kill
Chapter 5 Other Caretakers Who Kill
Chapter 6 Child Murder in the Court System
Chapter 7 Search for Prevention
8 Bibliography
9 Index