Abstract
Part I of this Note will discuss the history of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy and how the medical community is trying to make the general public aware of medical child abuse. Part II provides a history of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy and medical child abuse. It also highlights the differences in how litigation was previously handled under the nomenclature of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy and how litigation should be handled in the future under the nomenclature of medical child abuse. Part III identifies Ohio's current statutes and federal legislation that have an effect on child abuse. Part III also identifies individuals with a duty to report child abuse, analyzes other states' laws, and discusses the efforts that have been taken to successfully prosecute medical child abuse. Part III also proposes Ohio legislation that includes a specific definition for medical child abuse. Finally, Part IV analyzes how the proposed Ohio legislation will affect physicians, the medical community, hospital programs, and children that need to be removed from the custody of harmful caregivers.
Recommended Citation
Note, Proving Medical Child Abuse: The Time is Now for Ohio to Focus on the Victim and Not the Abuser, 25 J.L. & Health 191 (2012)