About this episode

The episode discusses Munchausen by proxy with author Andrea Dunlop and a Texas detective, exploring its implications and notable cases.

One type of crime we don’t talk about much is Munchausen by proxy. It’s a mental health condition and a form of child abuse. It's where a caregiver exaggerates, makes up, or induces physical or psychological symptoms in a child to make them seem sick. Or it could be another person under their care. Author Andrea Dunlop writes about Munchausen by Proxy in her book,  The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy.  She and a Texas detective review his past cases and try to make sense of what happened. Andrea and I also talk about perhaps the most well-known case, Gypsy Rose Blanchard.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4gF2K18   See more information on my books: katewinklerdawson.com  Follow me on social: @tenfoldmore (Twitter) / @wickedwordspod (Facebook) / @tenfoldmorewicked (Instagram)  2026 All Rights Reserved  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Kate Winkler Dawson

Guest: Andrea Dunlop

Topics covered

• Munchausen by proxy
• child abuse
• mental health
• true crime
• Gypsy Rose Blanchard
• deception

Keywords

• Munchausen by proxy
• child abuse
• Andrea Dunlop
• Gypsy Rose Blanchard
• true crime
• mental health
• deception

Sponsors

Brand

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Exactly Right, iHeartPodcasts

Books & works: The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy

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