NCJ Number
165082
Journal
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Issue: 1 Dated: (1997) Pages: 187-202
Date Published
1997
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the deaths of children 14 years of age and younger that were classified as homicides by the Los Angeles Police Department during the 1980-1989 period.
Abstract
The study especially focused on suspect-to-victim relationships and on victim race/ethnicity because of their relevance to prevention and program planning. Findings on 235 child homicide cases showed that family members were suspects in 49.8 percent of the cases (mother, 14.5 percent; father, 13.6 percent; mother's paramour, 8.5 percent; male and female caretaker, 11.1 percent; other family members, 2.1 percent). Few differences emerged among black, white, and Hispanic child victims. White victims had the highest proportion (67.7 percent) and Hispanic victims had the lowest proportion (42.7 percent) of within-family suspects. Family members were the most likely suspects in child homicides when victims were very young, whereas extrafamilial perpetration was more common at older ages. Prevention implications of the findings include the need to focus on actions of male caregivers and the observation that the substance and content of prevention programs (for example, emphasis on reducing blunt force trauma to young children) can be consistent across race/ethnic groups. 29 references, 2 notes, and 6 tables