Legal Definitions - child-slaying

Child-slaying, often legally referred to as infanticide, describes the act of a parent killing their own child. While "infanticide" specifically refers to the killing of an infant by a parent, particularly a mother, often shortly after birth and sometimes under circumstances involving mental distress, "child-slaying" can be used more broadly to describe the killing of any child by a parent. Modern legal systems typically prosecute such acts under general homicide statutes (like murder or manslaughter), though the unique circumstances, such as the child's age and the parent's mental state, may be considered during legal proceedings.

• Example 1: A new mother, experiencing severe postpartum depression and psychosis, tragically takes the life of her newborn baby just a few days after its birth.

  Explanation: This scenario directly illustrates child-slaying (infanticide) as it involves a parent causing the death of their very young child, often under circumstances that might involve significant mental health challenges immediately following childbirth.

• Example 2: A father, struggling with substance abuse, intentionally neglects to feed his three-month-old infant for several days, leading to the child's death from starvation.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates child-slaying through a deliberate act of omission by a parent that results in the death of their infant. While not an immediate post-birth event, it still falls under the umbrella of a parent causing the death of their young child.

• Example 3: During a moment of extreme frustration, a parent violently shakes their 18-month-old toddler, causing severe brain injuries that prove fatal.

  Explanation: This situation exemplifies child-slaying where a parent directly causes the death of their young child, extending beyond the newborn stage but still involving a minor. The act is a direct killing of a child by a parent.