ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on recent criminal cases where a parent has killed or assisted the death of a child, who may be an adult, and at the time of death that child was suffering from severe disabilities, debilitating injury or chronic illness. It explores the relationship between criminal and family responsibilities through an examination of recent cases where parents have acted to end their child's real. The chapter provides brief account of two cases from January 2010 which prompted discussion of, and reflections on, these cases within the context of the legal regulation of family responsibilities. Frances Inglis was convicted of the murder of her 22-year-old son, Thomas, and sentenced to serve at least nine years of her life sentence. The second case concerns Kay Gilderdale, who pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the suicide of, but denied attempting to murder, her 31-year-old daughter Lynn.
