Last weekend, in Ostrow Mazowiecka, there was a shocking discovery. A 27-year-old woman, Catherine J., reported to the infirmary with signs of fresh birth. Doctors stated that the female was pregnant, over 25 weeks, and that the transportation had taken place in the last period. During the interrogation of the woman, it turned out that the body of the newborn kid was found in a commercial.
The Ostrołęka territory Attorney's Office has initiated proceedings to find whether a childicide has occurred. A press spokesperson for the territory Attorney's Office, Elżbieta Edyta Łukasiewicz, informed that the prosecution is taking legal action in an urgent manner to find whether a female has committed a crime.
According to data, respective twelve cases of infanticide are recorded in Poland all year. In 2020, according to the Ministry of Justice, there were 43 cases of infanticide, which means that on average all 8 days in Poland there is 1 case of this crime.
Childicide is simply a crime which is referred to in the Criminal Code, in Article 149(1) as ‘the execution of a kid suspected at the time of birth’. This crime is punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 15 years.
In the case of Catherine J., the D.A. has to find whether a female committed infanticide or not. In order to find this, the prosecution must carry out a number of trials and procedural activities. 1 of the most crucial evidence in this case will be the sectional corpse of the newborn, which will be carried out to find whether the baby was born alive.
According to data, in Poland, about 30% of women who commit infanticide are aged 20-29. These women are frequently alone, without household support, and do not have access to medical assistance.
In this case, Katarzyna J. remains in the gynecological and obstetric ward of the infirmary in Ostrów Mazowiecki. The prosecution must now find whether or not a female has committed a childicide crime. If so, a female may be sentenced to imprisonment.
Childicide is simply a crime that is not only criminal but besides morally wrong. In Poland there are many organizations that aid pregnant women and newborns. 1 of them is the Children's Foundation, which has been a charity for children and families since 1991.
It is worth recalling that pregnant women have the right to free medical care and social assistance. There are besides peculiar programs in Poland that aid pregnant women, specified as the “Mama and Me” programme, which offers medical and social support to pregnant women and newborns.
In this case, the D.A. has now to find whether Catherine J. has committed the crime of "childicide" or not. Regardless of the outcome, it is worth reminding you that pregnant women and newborns request our support and help.
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Childicide: The case of a 27-year-old female who hid the birth and death of a newborn
