03 October 2026, 11:45
In the Odesa region, a foster mother is suspected of torturing a 7-year-old boy
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PHOTO: od.gp.gov.ua
A 42-year-old adoptive mother was taken into custody in the Odesa region. She is suspected of torturing her 7-year-old son: the woman forced the boy to kneel on buckwheat and beat him.
According to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the woman lives in one of the villages in the Rozdilna District.
Together with her husband, she became a foster mother in 2024. Subsequently, three young children—two sisters and a brother—were placed with their family.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the woman was aware of the child’s diagnosis and the specific characteristics of his body. Despite this, she repeatedly punished the boy for the consequences of his health condition, over which he had no control.
Throughout July of this year, the woman forced him to kneel on buckwheat and keep his arms raised, and she also beat him on multiple occasions.
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether there were other illegal actions involving the foster children. They are also determining whether other people were involved in the crimes.
All three children were removed from the family.
According to the police, they have now been placed with a foster family. A doctor examined the children, and there is no threat to their lives or health.
Investigators detained the woman and, after gathering sufficient evidence, charged her with torture. The charges involve intentional acts aimed at causing severe physical pain or mental suffering.
The woman is charged under Part 2 of Article 127 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Under this article, she faces up to 10 years in prison.
At the request of law enforcement officials, the court ordered the suspect to be held in pretrial detention.
In addition, the police have launched a separate investigation into possible dereliction of duty by employees of the Child Welfare Service who were supervising this foster family.
