Foster parents absent
By Lene Makkink 0 minutes ago Modified: 0 minutes ago
© ANP
RTL
The foster parents of the 10-year-old girl from Vlaardingen who was admitted to hospital in May with serious injuries, pushed her down the stairs and locked her in a homemade cage. The Public Prosecution Service announced this during the first pro forma hearing. These are some details of what the girl had to endure.
The two 37-year-old suspects, Daisy W. and Johnny van den B., were not present in court themselves. The pair are on trial on suspicion of attempted manslaughter and serious assault. They are also suspected of deprivation of liberty and putting or leaving someone in a helpless state.
Girl conscious
For a long time it was unclear how the girl was doing now. The Public Prosecutor reports that she has regained consciousness since July 23, but adds that this ‘sounds much more positive than it is’.
She cannot sit, walk or stand independently. She cannot talk or communicate in any other language. “It is clear that she will probably be dependent on intensive care for the rest of her life,” the officer states.
When the girl was admitted to hospital in May with serious injuries, she weighed only 20 kilos, according to the officer. At the time, she was 1.35 meters tall. She was severely malnourished.
The lawyer of the girl’s biological mother tells RTL Nieuws that the details ‘received her twice’ today. He states that the mother has reported the possible abuse to Child Protection several times, but that the statements of the foster parents, who stated that the girl had injured herself, were believed.
Homemade cage
According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the girl was not only thrown down the stairs, but she was also tied up several times and placed in a homemade cage. She also received little food and drink and did not always have access to the toilet.
During the searches of the suspects’ home and workplace, tie-wraps and a shock band were also seized. This shock band was also attached to the homemade cage, which according to the officer was electrified. It is still being investigated whether the girl’s injuries match this band.
Pieter Baan Center
The two foster parents were registered for observation at the Pieter Baan Center (PBC) on July 17, where the pair will be examined by behavioral experts for possible psychological abnormalities.
During the hearing it also became clear that the Public Prosecution Service is also investigating the living conditions of two other foster children. “The question is whether they were also victims and if so, to what extent. That is part of the investigation,” says a spokesperson.
Due to the long waiting list, the foster parents will not be able to go to the PBC before February. The observation itself will take about six to seven weeks, after which a research report will have to be drawn up. This means that the results of the observation in the PBC will not be available until the end of May or the beginning of June next year at the earliest.
Not approachable
The case came to light after the girl was admitted to hospital in the night of 20 to 21 May, seriously injured and unresponsive. It later emerged that the girl herself had previously told people that she was being abused at home.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 25.
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