Osmangazi Tıp Dergisi

Öz

Objective:
In the present case series, 9 child mothers under 15 years of age driven to
crime in Eskişehir were evaluated whether they were able to perceive the legal
meaning and consequences of their action and the ability to direct their
behavior according to Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code.  The aim is to discuss the form of crimes
allegedly committed by child mothers, the problems experienced in the present
situation and the proposals for their solutions. It was determined that 9 child
mothers were directed to us by the claim of committing a crime within the
3-year period. It was found that 4 cases had 20 weeks and over of gestation, 5
cases had infants of 2 months and 6 months of age. It was claimed that 7 of the
cases were theft and 2 of them were drug trafficking crimes. In all cases the
mothers have stated that their husbands were in prison, that they live with
their spouses’ parents and support their living, and that they often have to
commit theft and other crimes for this. 5 of the child mothers said that they
did not receive any social or medical assistance. In terms of child
mothers’cases, the obligation for physicians is not only limited with
organizing examinations or judicial reports, but also taking into consideration
the best interests of the child in cooperation with other clinical departments
and with such units as social services and relevant NGOs. It is thought that
the implementation of existing legislations is difficult and that the
inspection mechanism does not work. It is assumed that in the elimination of
the victims of child mothers it is more important to provide social support to
them rather than to let their "spouses" out from the prison.