Asked by: Countess of Mar (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Attorney General:
Her Majesty's Government how many cases of (1) Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, and (2) fabricated or induced illness, have been prosecuted against parents of children diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome in each year since 2010 for which figures are available; how many of those cases were successful; how many were withdrawn; and how many resulted in an acquittal.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
Munchausen's syndrome by proxy and fabricated or induced illness are not of themselves criminal offences so cannot be prosecuted as such. They may, however, be of relevance to criminal offences which can be prosecuted.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of prosecutions where Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy or fabricated or induced illnesses may have been relevant. Such information could only be obtained through a manual search of records which would incur disproportionate cost.