17-day-old infant in Heraklion ICU: 18-year-old mother suffered abuse from age 4
The newborn is being treated in critical condition with severe head trauma. The Smile of the Child organisation has revealed two previous interventions concerning the alleged mother.
Abuse from age 4 revealed by Smile of the Child regarding mother of infant in Heraklion
The Smile of the Child organisation revealed in a statement serious aspects from the past of the 18-year-old who is accused of causing serious bodily harm to her newborn child. According to reports by Newsbeast, the infant — just 17 days old — is being treated in critical condition in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion, with serious head trauma.
The 18-year-old has been arrested and brought before the magistrate of Chania, from whom she requested and received a postponement to present her defence on Thursday. The criminal proceedings are ongoing and the charge does not amount to conviction. The exact circumstances of the infant's injury are being investigated by the relevant authorities.
Anonymous report in 2013 when the accused was 4 years old
According to the organisation, in 2013 an anonymous report had been filed with the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056, according to which a four-year-old girl — the current 18-year-old mother — suffered physical abuse from her parents. The report was assessed as particularly critical and forwarded to the competent prosecutor's office.
The Smile of the Child clarifies that it was not subsequently informed of the progress of the report or the actions taken by the authorities. The statement records the existence of the relevant report and its transmission, without judicially confirming that abuse took place or providing evidence regarding the outcome of the prosecutorial investigation.
Second intervention in 2022, at age 14
The organisation states there was a second involvement in 2022, when the current accused was 14 years old. At that time, the Smile of the Child was asked to transfer the minor from a hospital, where she was housed on prosecutorial order, to another healthcare facility for further medical assessment. The organisation emphasises that it was not asked for any other assistance and was not informed of the reasons for her stay in the hospital.
These two incidents show that the 18-year-old had engaged the services of child protection agencies at different stages of her childhood. However, there is no available information about the framework of protection or support provided to her during those periods.
Intervention following the publicisation of the case
Following the publicisation of the case, social workers and psychologists from the National Helpline SOS 1056 contacted the hospital's Social Services and the competent police service. The organisation informed the authorities of the services it could provide to support both the infant and the 18-year-old.
"Through this case as well, for the countless time, the lack of a comprehensive framework for the protection of children who are exposed and effectively defenceless against violence is highlighted," the Smile of the Child points out. The organisation warns that children who do not receive timely care are at risk of repeating the same cycle of violence — characterising this position as a general observation about the system's shortcomings, not as a conclusion about the causes of this particular case.
Critical condition for the newborn
The infant continues to be treated in the Neonatal ICU of Venizeleio Hospital. His condition is described as critical due to the severe head trauma he has suffered, whilst doctors continuously monitor the progression of his health. Police and judicial investigation continues to establish the exact circumstances of the injury.
The Smile of the Child reminds that anyone who knows or suspects that a child is in danger can communicate free of charge and anonymously, available 24 hours a day, with the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 or submit an electronic report via CyberTipline Hellas.
Source: Newsbeast