The term Munchausen Syndrome was first developed in 1951 by British physician Richard Asher. This describes a psychological disorder where a patient invents or brings on an illness or disease in an attempt to draw attention or sympathy. These may also be referred to as factitious disorders, and the symptoms are often either self-induced or are falsified by the patient. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) is another form of this disease which was introduced in 1977 by Roy Meadow, British pediatrician.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy describes a psychological disorder wherein a caregiver (often a parent) intentionally produces or feigns symptoms of illness in another person (often a child). The caregiver is then able to assume the role of the ill or injured individual by proxy. The aim of the perpetrator in this case, just as with Munchausen Syndrome itself, is to receive attention and sympathy from others. However, in the case of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, the perpetrator receives this sympathy as the caregiver of the sick or injured child.
Child Abuse and Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
MSBP may be diagnosed by doctors in cases where a child becomes ill without a viable medical explanation, when the doctor is unable to diagnose the cause. A concerned parent could therefore find him or herself facing child abuse or child neglect charges when he or she did nothing wrong!
The Michigan child abuse defense attorneys at Kronzek & Cronkright are experienced in helping clients who have been accused of intentionally making their children sick. These parents face criminal charges and the loss of custody of their child or children. Our attorneys understand what you are going through and how important it is to provide aggressive legal representation immediately.
Child Abuse Defense Attorneys in Michigan
Diagnosing Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy has become a more popular trend that our lawyers have seen in Michigan Children’s Protective Services cases. We have seen many parents face false allegations of child abuse when in fact their child developed a serious illness at no fault of the parents. As such, it is our goal to defend your rights and protect your family in the face of allegations involving Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
Contact a Michigan child abuse defense lawyer at our firm regarding your Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy allegations.