Invisible children, dying to save others: A discussion of three fatal child abuse cases and the prevention of future deaths

Abstract

This article discusses three fatal child abuse cases (two from the United Kingdom and one from Australia). Using an interactionist framework, it identifies two critical signs - the 'invisibility' of the child and certain dysfunctional parent representations - as the precursors to death in these cases. Reviewing the child death inquiry findings, it argues that acknowledging these critical indicators of risk has significant implications for preventing death in similar cases where child protection workers know the child in question.