Accidental Drowning of Child or Maternal Filicide by Strangulation: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Filicide, defined as the deliberate act of a parent killing their own child, is not uncommon in India and usually occurs if the child is female. Females are killed off even before they are born, as they are considered to be a burden to the parents and family. The risk of a child being killed is highest during the first year of life. The child may be killed by the perpetrator by using knives, blunt objects, manual strangulation, poisoning and drowning. Case Details: A body of a seven months female was brought for autopsy with the alleged history of accidental fall in a bucket of water and subsequent drowning. On external examination multiple abraded dermal contusions were found on the neck along with one crescentic shaped abrasion. On dissection hematoma was present over the underlying muscles. Pulmonary findings were within normal limits. The mother declared that she was alone in the house with the child at the time of alleged drowning. Later after exhaustive police investigation, she confessed to murdering her daughter. She clarified that she was suffering from depression, marital discord and was apprehensive that the female child was only a financial burden to their family. Conclusion: The article discusses about the reasons that prompt a mother to kill her own child and if a female child is that much a burden to the family that she does not deserve even an iota of chance to live. Further research is needed to improve identification of children and mothers at risk. Suggestions for prevention are made based on current literature and the authors’ experience.