The Voice of the Child calls for giving priority to children “in the case of families suffering from psychiatric illnesses”

A woman and her four children were found dead on Monday in their apartment in Meaux. The main suspect, the victim’s husband and father of the children, suffers from psychiatric disorders. He was arrested and taken into custody.

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Police officers in front of a building in Meaux (Seine-et-Marne), December 26, 2023, where five bodies were found the day before.  (SEBASTIEN ROSELE / MAXPPP)

“Priority must be given to children in the case of families suffering from psychiatric illnesses”, declares Martine Brousse, president of the La Voix de l’Enfant association, on franceinfo Tuesday December 26, after the quintuple homicide in Meaux (Seine-et-Marne). A 33-year-old father, suffering from psychiatric disorders, was arrested in Sevran, suspected of having killed his wife and their four children at their home Monday evening.

For Martine Brousse, it is necessary that “measures should be taken immediately in a family where at least one of the parents has problems and is suffering from mental illness”. The investigation revealed previous incidents of violence within this couple. In November 2019, the father stabbed his wife in the shoulder blade, the procedure was dismissed on the grounds of deficient mental state. Even if the case is closed, “protection and sheltering of children must be ordered, as well as medico-social and judicial monitoring”suggests the president of the association for the defense of children.

The Voice of the Child is a civil party in this case

This tragedy occurs after a series of infanticides in Île-de-France, two triple infanticides perpetrated by fathers, in October in Val-d’Oise and at the end of November in Val-de-Marne. Martine Brousse also points out the cases of “mothers who end the lives of their children, while they are in psychiatric care”.

“We often say that children in domestic violence are transparent children. They must now be at the heart of priorities. We really need to raise the question of psychiatry and justice to protect children. “

Martine Brousse, president of the association La Voix de l’Enfant

at franceinfo

Martine Brousse adds that the association La Voix de l’Enfant is a civil party in this matter.


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