Christopher Brown was prosecuted for aggravated battery and abuse of a child. The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) identified the Browns as perpetrators of child abuse

Question

This was based on a single incident of a skull fracture and other injuries to the Browns' 1-monthold baby. No drug use or other family problems were found. The SRS moved to terminate the Browns' parental rights over all their children. Brown was told that he could regain custody of his children if he would, among other tasks, admit how the injuries occurred. On the date that the Browns' parental rights were to be terminated, Brown went to the sheriff's office, sought out a detective who had been involved in the investigation, and told him that he was ready to make a statement. After being Mirandized, Brown gave a statement admitting that on the night in question, the baby would not stop crying, was driving him "freaking crazy," and Brown "squeezed him too hard."

(1) Was the threat of the loss of parental rights a penalty that made Brown's confession the product of Fifth Amendment compulsion? (2) Was the confession coerced?
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

(1) Yes. (2) Yes. The confession was properly suppressed by lower courts.