Baby Tossed Into Lake: Broader Epidemic

Jan. 31, 2006 — -- A Brazilian mother who put her baby into a plastic bag and then tossed it into a lake is the latest example of new mothers who put their children in harm's way.

Simone da Silva was arrested and charged with attempted murder after a couple pulled the 2-month-old baby girl from Pampulha Lagoon in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

"I couldn't stay with her," Silva told police. "I did not have a minimum psychological condition to stay with her."

A mother deliberately putting her child in harm's way is not uncommon. In the United States, more than 700 children are killed by their mother each year.

Reproductive psychiatrist Shari Lusskin says most of the time the offenders are new mothers.

"Usually infanticide takes place fairly soon after delivery, but there are women who get sick much later on in the first postpartum year, say five or six months after the baby," Lusskin said.

Lusskin says there are warning signs: Is the mother neglecting or avoiding the baby? Does she seem agitated or confused? Has she stopped eating or sleeping? Is the mother having irrational thoughts about dropping or hurting the baby?

"Those women should be evaluated immediately," Lusskin said.

The Brazilian baby was released from the hospital on Monday, two days after she was rescued from the lake. Several people have expressed interested in adopting the child.