People who intentionally hurt children for attention can be accused of Munchausen syndrome by Proxy.
Munchausen syndrome Mun·chau·sen syndrome or Munch·hau·sen syndrome (mŭn'chou'zən, mŭnch'hou'-, münKH'hou'-)
n.
A psychological disorder characterized by the repeated fabrication of disease symptoms for the purpose of gaining medical attention.
