Susan Smith

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Recommended: Postpartum depression effects on mother

a) Childhood and background (family life, friends)
Susan Leigh Vaughan Smith, born on September 26th 1971, was an American woman who was sent to serve life in prison for the murder of her two sons: one 3 year old, Michael Daniel Smith, and one 14-month old, Alexander Tyler Smith. At first, Susan was seen as a selfish killer who had killed her children for the sole purpose of unrequited love, but an insight into her personal life revealed much emotional trauma and signs of depression throughout her childhood. Susan did not have the best life growing up at her home in Union, S.C., as the only daughter of three kids. Her biological father divorced her mother when she was only seven years old. A little over a month after the divorce, Susan's father committed suicide. Within weeks, Susan's mother was married to Beverly Russell, a successful local businessman. Her stepfather was a rich man so the family moved from their small house into his luxury home.
Life in her new home was everything but stable. At the age of 13, Susan Smith attempted suicide. Her emotions were spiraling out of control when her stepfather molested her. She admitted to the authorities of being sexually assaulted by Beverly Russell around the age of 16. After being reported, Beverly Russell was temporarily removed from their home but returned only after a few family counseling sessions. Susan was reprimanded for revealing the sexual abuse to the public. Her mother seemed to be more concerned with public image rather than the safety of her own daughter. With her stepfather back in the house the abuse continued. Upon seeking help from her school counsellor, the government authorities were contacted. However, the matter was concealed as to protect their image in societ...

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...Stacy Sabraw, and Deborah Sanders. "Moms who kill: when depression turns deadly: postpartum mood disorders are more common than we realize: up to 80 percent of new mothers experience mild depression within a year of giving birth. If the 'baby blues' persist, depression can escalate to dangerous levels, influencing some women to experience psychosis and--in rare and tragic cases--to kill their offspring. (Feature)." Psychology Today Nov.-Dec. 2002: 60+. Psychology Collection. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Mayo, Mike. "Smith, Susan." American Murder (2008): 327-330. History Reference Center. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Montaldo, Charles. "The Trial of Convicted Child Killer Susan Smith." About.com Crime / Punishment. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Sampson, Robert J. "WHITHER THE SOCIOLOGICAl STUDY OF CRIME?" Annual Review of Sociology (2000): 711. Psychology Collection. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.

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