May 2, 2026, 6:03 p.m.
(ILLUSTRATION: AI)
In Odesa region, law enforcement officers are investigating the circumstances of an infant's death, which is considered a possible consequence of systemic inaction by officials. To preserve the evidence, the court arrested the documentation and equipment of the children's service.
This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.
According to the investigation, the child died in the hospital after being hospitalized in critical condition. Law enforcement officials believe that the tragedy could have been avoided, as the baby had been without proper care and medical supervision for a long time.
The baby was born on March 15, 2026, at the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City Multidisciplinary Hospital. During her pregnancy, the mother was not under medical supervision and did not undergo the necessary examinations.
The family, which had four young children, was registered with the Children's Service as being in difficult life circumstances. The woman had been repeatedly brought to administrative responsibility for improper performance of parental duties.
On April 12, the baby was taken to a medical facility in an extremely serious condition. Doctors diagnosed severe emaciation, critical nutritional deficiencies and third-degree hypotrophy, indicating prolonged malnutrition. Despite the efforts of doctors, the child died the next day, on April 13.
Criminal proceedings were opened under the articles on malicious failure to fulfill childcare responsibilities and intentional murder of a minor. Investigators believe that systematic neglect of the child's basic needs led to his death.
It has also been established that other children in the family may have been subjected to violence. One of the brothers was hospitalized with numerous injuries, including a broken hip and injuries that show signs of prescription.
The actions of officials of the children's service are being checked separately. According to the investigation, despite the family's registration, they limited themselves to preventive conversations and did not take real measures to protect the children, such as removing them from a dangerous environment and failing to provide proper supervision.
As part of the investigation, searches were conducted in the offices, and documents, magazines, equipment, and other materials that may indicate possible inaction by officials were seized. The court seized these items as evidence.
The investigation is ongoing - law enforcement officers are identifying all those involved and finding out whether the tragedy could have been prevented.
In April, in Odesa region, a mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for beating her one-and-a-half-year-old son, which led to his death. The court confirmed that the child had suffered numerous injuries, and the woman did not provide medical care.
Анна Бальчінос