Child Homicide, Child Maltreatment, and Maternal Mental Illness: A Review

Mothers and fathers kill their children at similar rates, making filicides (child murders by parents) unique among homicides. In this article, the authors focus on maternal mental illness, child maltreatment, and homicide. Nearly all neonaticides (murder in the first day of life) are committed by young women acting alone. Most filicides in the general population are due to fatal child maltreatment; however, among perpetrators who are found legally insane, altruistic motives predominate. Mental illness intersects with the phenomena of neonaticide and filicide. Personality disorders, untreated mental illness, poor attachment, and substance use disorders may elevate risk. Filicide and child maltreatment are relevant to psychiatrists because they may coexist with mental illnesses. Psychiatrists, both in reproductive psychiatry and general psychiatry, should carefully consider risks and resources for their patients who are parents.