This comment then defines prominent societal and criminal justice considerations as they relate to abused children who kill, and examines cases that move toward a more appropriate legal responses by remaining cognizant of these considerations in classifying offenses and imposing corresponding sentences. In conclusion, this argues that classifying parricidal killings as voluntary manslaughter acknowledges the criminal nature of both child abuse and homicide striking an appropriate balance among societal goals and theories of criminal justice. It then emphasizes that upon finding of guilt, whether by trial or plea, courts must fashion appropriate sentences that adequately and effective balance the competing interests of the child abuse-parricide