The Current Issue Of Failures And The System Of Child...

R v Kristi Anne Abrahams [2013] NSWSC 95 OVERVIEW This case deals with the current issue of failures in the system of child protection in NSW. Kristi Abraham mother of four, pleaded guilty of murdering her six year old daughter, Kiesha, whose remains were found in a bushland in Sydney’s west in early 2011. The young six year old was reported missing 8 months before her remains were found. Her body was kept in a suitcase for three days before it was disposed of. â€Å"Kiesha deserved to be protected and had done nothing wrong† -Justice Harrison Kiesha was living with her mother and her partner, Robert Smith and was exposed to a lot of abuse and violence throughout her life. She was unable to seek help and was silenced whenever she†¦show more content†¦It was reported; she attended school just 4 days in 2 terms. After Kiesha’s death, both Abrahams and Smith attempted to destroy all evidence that could link them to her death. FACTORS AFFECTING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR Abrahams, is the product of what had happened to her. She was physically abused by her father as a child and never received the care and support which was important for her own development. She was also subjected to anti aboriginal comments as a child and had experienced extreme forms of domestic violence in her household. Abrahams lived her life in a foster home as a 10 year old after her mother passed away, she was unable to receive the right parenting and was neglected throughout her life. This according to the judge was the main psychological factor that instigated criminal behaviour within her. Keeping this is mind; Justice Harrison made a statement stating that â€Å"Abraham’s anger and resentment about her own childhood has today affected her parenting.† THE CRIMINAL PROCESS Abrahams deliberately failed to call the ambulance after kicking Kiesha in the face. This so called ‘nudge in the face’ was examined and estimated to be equivalent to a sporting injury. Kiesha suffered at least 5 blows to the jaw. A mother had killed her daughter in cold- blood. Disposal of the body was a priority at the time; this led to Abrahams planning a plot with her de facto Mr Smith so they could get away with this crime and address the