Why Did These Mothers Kill Their Autistic Children?

I know that my son Charlie’s life is better than it could have been, had he been born in a previous generation. He’s on the moderate to severe end of the autism spectrum, with limited communication skills, and many behavioral and cognitive challenges. From what I’ve read about the history of autism and the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities—and what I’ve learned from conversations with people who have autistic siblings or knew of individuals like Charlie in their neighborhood when they were growing up—Charlie would most likely have been institutionalized; been put on a lot of medication; not have ridden bikes and visited the ocean and all the things we do together.

Thinking about what his life could have been like pains me a great deal. I’m a hopeful person and I want to think that things are not only better for individuals like Charlie and their families, and that they will continue to get better.

So I always gasp for air when I read about mothers who are alleged to have killed their autistic children: Dr. Karen McCarron was sentenced to 36 years in prison for the May 13, 2006, suffocation of her then 3-year-old daughter, Katherine “Katie” McCarron. And just in the past few months, two mothers are accused of killing their autistic children, Gigi Jordan, who is accused of giving her 8-year-old autistic son an overdose of pills in New York hotel in February, and Yvonne Freaney, who has been charged with murder after her 11-year-old son, Glen, was found dead in a hotel room near Cardiff International Airport last weekend.

The newspapers describe these women as ‘loving’ and ‘caring.’ What happened?

None of these women were uneducated and they had access to financial and other resources. Were supports still insufficient? Why weren’t they able to ask for help?

We’ve been through some very tough and terrible times with Charlie, who just turned 13—visits to the ER, dealing with police, planning for his care when we’re gone. While I understand how difficult life raising an autistic child can be, I can’t even contemplate doing what McCarron did, and what Jordan and Freaney are accused of doing.

There’s so much talk about ‘autism awareness‘ but clearly just ‘knowing about autism’ is just a very small start. What aren’t we doing to support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families? Can we ever do enough?

Photo by the author.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ann E.

1:04PM PDT on Jul 26, 2010

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Kristina, and for pointing out the need for additional community supports.

send a green star

Beng Kiat L.

1:15AM PDT on Jun 18, 2010

Thanks

Kathleen K.

12:35AM PDT on Jun 18, 2010

@Marie W, Wow, what compassion you have, for animals but not for autistic children, I see.
@ Margaret D You really have no clue. My Husband has Aspergers Snydrome, meaning he is a high-funtioning autistic, he happens to be one of the most caring people I have ever met. He is the farthest thing from narcissistic, and the other Aspies I have met are the same, just because someone doesn't gush with emotion, doesn't mean they don't feel it.

Sarah M.

8:36AM PDT on Jun 15, 2010

I'm autistic. I'm married with three children (also on the spectrum, but then again, so is my husband, so obviously our chances of giving our offspring neurotypical genes are pretty low) and we're expecting our fourth soon. My husband and I have college degrees. He has a salaried career position in the local government. Needless to say, we don't think being autistic condemns anyone to a miserable half life. These mothers who think they are killing their children out of mercy ought to be strung up by their toes.

April L.

7:06PM PDT on May 26, 2010

The author states..."Were supports still insufficient? Why weren't they able to ask for help?"

Since, unfortunately, mothers also murder their "typical" children, I don't think it's safe to assume at all, that these murders happened because of autism. Even if the children were typical, the murders could have happened anyway.

Dorota J.

4:21AM PDT on May 26, 2010

thank you for info

Inez Deborah A.

4:01PM PDT on May 25, 2010

Please for what does the US death penalty exist?

Linda M.

5:49PM PDT on May 23, 2010

everyone, please sign and share:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/13/make-animal-abuse-laws-stricter
i'd really appreciate it

Randall C.

8:06PM PDT on May 22, 2010

First, there is no such thing as a "maternal" instinct. It is a "parental" instinct, and it is no more stronger in women than in men. Second, animals routinely kill their young when they are weak, or in a stressful situation or environment...no matter how intelligent they are. Third, when children become liabilities rather than assets in a parent's life, they are subject to "natural" behaviours that will reduce those liabilities. We are all human, and therefore capable of doing what animals do under certain conditions...we may not even be conscious of our actions...until it is too late...

Carole C.

4:49PM PDT on May 22, 2010

As the single parent of two now adult individuals with autism, as well as a young adult son who is bipolar, I understand what it is like to feel completely overwhelmed, alone, exhausted, and in the depths of despair. I also have worked with more than 100 children and adults with autism and their families, and I know too many stories of parents who have given literally everything they had to their children, to the point of their collapse. The rates of suicide, divorce and bankruptcy of families affected by autism are many times those of other families. What these mothers have done is horrible and indefensible.But unless you have been there, you cannot imagine the difficulties these families endure. My children are wonderful, beautiful, full of live and love and have made remarkable strides. My oldest has "recovered" from autism, while my daughter continues to have many challenges. She is smart and loving and productive. I deeply love each of my children and would give my life for them. But I know that individuals and families touched by autism need understanding, prayer, and support. And too often they don't get it.