NCJ Number
201635
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 72 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 20-24
Date Published
August 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy and discusses how to recognize its signs.
Abstract
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is a form of child abuse in which a caregiver, usually the mother, fabricates a child’s illness in order to gain sympathy and attention. It is a form of child abuse because the children are harmed in a myriad of ways by their caregiver, such as poisoning, and are often subjected to multiple surgeries and other unnecessary medical procedures. The article explains the importance for law enforcement personnel and the medical community to be familiar with the warning signs of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy in order to protect the young victims from further abuse. The warning signs are discussed, as are suggestions for how law enforcement and medical personnel can work together to build a solid case against the caregiver. In conclusion, the article confirms the difficulty of recognizing Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy because parents often deceive doctors and police officers into believing they are caring parents.