Far too often, parents try to manipulate their children in hopes of obtaining the child custody outcome that they desire. While this often involves feeding children false information and molding the children’s perception of their other parent, sometimes this behavior on the part of the parent is not always intentional. That, of course, does not make it okay.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy
One way this occurs is through Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Here, a parent truly believes that the child is sick despite the fact that the child is actually healthy. This means that the child is usually subjected to unnecessary and sometimes even intrusive medical examinations and testing, and the child may be given medication that is not needed. In fact, the following illnesses are often reported under these circumstances:
- Failure to thrive
- Infections
- Fevers
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Other emergency illnesses
This can be dangerous, which is why Munchausen syndrome by proxy is considered child abuse. Those who suffer from the condition need mental health treatment to try to minimize the impact, but legal action may be needed to protect the child.
Do you need to take legal action to protect your child?
Is your child always reported to be sick, causing you to miss out on quality time with your kid? If so, you should start asking more questions to determine if Munchausen syndrome by proxy is in play.
That may seem difficult to figure out, but an attorney who is experienced at handling complex child custody cases can help you seek the evidence that you need to support your position. This will likely include your child’s medical records and any mental health assessments administered to your child’s other parent. You may even need to seek a court order for that evaluation.
Are you ready to take action to protect your child and your relationship with them? If so, start researching your legal representation options now.
