Carers beat children in their care, leaders covered up incidents
Five people were detained by investigators in an operation spanning multiple counties. According to the allegations, they beat and kicked those in their care for years, and supervisors concealed what happened.
Carers beat children in their care, leaders covered up incidents
Five people were taken into custody at dawn at the end of May in Csongrád-Csanád and Békés counties. The National Investigation Office of the Rapid Response Police (KR NNI) carried out the operation with the assistance of TEK personnel. The intervention was necessary because one of the suspects was a border guard with a firearms permit.
The investigation began in late 2024 following an anonymous tip. According to this, serious abuses occurred in various children's homes. Investigators questioned more than a hundred people and concluded that there were at least ten victims. The complaints were not handled appropriately by the institutions' leaders, and the authorities were not informed.
The most serious cases occurred in Csanádpalota. That is where 55-year-old N. István was apprehended, who previously worked as a carer. According to the suspicion, he assaulted eight minors over five years: kicking them, hitting them on the head, strangling them. On one occasion, he allegedly hit one of the young people's head against a board in front of the deputy director's eyes. At the same facility, 62-year-old D. Pálné was also taken away, who had physically abused two children.
Investigators also arrested a child supervisor who was aware of the violence but did not take action against it. The home's director and professional manager were also taken into custody. They are accused of preparing false reports and attempting to conceal what happened.
During the searches, a vast amount of digital data and paper-based documents were seized. The investigation extended to institutions operating in multiple settlements.
The authorities announced that they would retrospectively review all cases involving homes belonging to the organisation in question. Other abuses discovered in the foster-care system are being investigated in separate proceedings. In one such case, charges have already been brought for sexual offences.
Source: 444.hu
Source: 444