EPA-1113 - Infanticide and Long-Term Alcoholism in Women

Abstract

Infanticide is the most serious form of child abuse, and has been tolerated until the end of the XVII Century due to a conception of children as parents' property.

This is a case report of infanticide. The perpetrator was mother, 26 years old woman. Death of the child was caused by cardiac arrest due to multiple rib dislocation fractures, which led to contusion and rupture of the left lung. During childhood, the infant's mother was continuously abused by her parents, alcoholics, mostly by mother, so at the age of 12 she was diagnosed of behavior disorder, high-grade neurotic reaction, and emotional deprivation. At the age of 16, she and her father had murdered her elderly sister, having stabbed her 82 times with a kitchen knife. Criminal charges were then brought against her and her father, and she as a minor was punished to detention in a correctional institution. Ten years after that she killed her own 5 months old daughter. She was found to suffer from profound and permanent personality disorders corresponding to borderline structure incapable to control her aggressive impulses.

Alcoholism is highly connected with violence behavior. The mothers neglecting their children pose a specific problem because of their commensal relationship with them, and because of high transmition possibility through future generations.

The authorities of Republic of Croatia have developed legal, administrative, social and educational models to prevent all kind of violence against children and adolescents. Unfortunately, too late for this family, but on time for many others.