Can Child Psychopathy Be Treated? Expert Debunks Myths After 9-Year-Old's Shocking 23 Animal Attack (7/20)

Fearless temperament, less motivation to seek positive rewards, cruelty to animals, and a lack of interest in the emotions of others are some of the signs to look for.

“Without knowing if this child was experiencing psychosis or another problem, it is hard to say [if he is a psychopath].”

The gruesome nature of the incident stunned the doctor, “[It’s] a tragic story.”

“Behavior like this is not typical at all, even for children with psychopathic traits,” she added. “A child like this could certainly have benefited from an early, accurate diagnosis and aggressive treatment.”

Due to being a 9-year-old, the Brazilian child was not criminally responsible for his actions according to that country’s law, and it is unclear whether he’ll be able to receive the help he needs. Marsh recommended “residential therapy” in his case, due to the level of violence demonstrated and the apparent inability of his parents to safely manage it.

Dr. Marsh mentioned the dangers of her peers misdiagnosing children on purpose to avoid the stigma of being labeled as psychopaths, as it can lead to ineffective treatments