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The author believes that the killing of a newborn baby is a separate entity from other filicides, differing in regard to the diagnosis, motives, and legal disposition of the murderer. Whereas most filicides are committed for “altruistic” reasons, most neonaticides are carried out simply because the child is not wanted. The author notes the different psychological characteristics of mothers who commit these two crimes. Legal considerations and the present status of neonaticide are also discussed.The landmark article of 1970 that described murder of the newborn and coined the term “neonaticide” is published here in its original form in French translation. It is accompanied by a perspective in which the author looks back on his initial reflections and discusses some empirical data that have been published about neonaticide over the last forty years.