Child Therapist Believes Leila Fowler Killing Was Not Premeditated
Child therapist Leslie Whitten Baughman is not involved in the investigation, but says is the allegation of murder is true, she believes the attack on Leila Fowler may not have been premeditated.
"It seems like it was compulsive behavior," Baughman said.
She works with the families of children with extreme behavioral problems, violent tendencies and unpredictable outbursts.
She believes the 12-year-old may have allegedly exploded with pent-up rage, or maybe acted out on something that was modeled for him in his past.
"It's common for children who are aggressive and violent to have experienced some sort of aggression or violence in their life, either personally experiencing it themselves, or through observing it in their environment," Baughman said.
Investigators have not revealed the motive for the murder, or the 12-year-old's mental state.
Baughman believes some violent acts by children can be prevented if parents, teachers, and family members recognize some of the behavioral clues.
Some of those symptoms include
- a lack of empathy for other children, siblings or family members,
- pleasure or an enjoyment out of seeing others suffer,
- or animal cruelty.
