Mother in court after babys death

“Baby Isabel never got to celebrate her birthday. She was born and died on September 30, 2024. After being born alive, she had no chance,” said the public prosecutor in his indictment. A 21-year-old woman from Noordwijkerhout stands trial, suspected of putting her baby in a helpless state resulting in death. The Public Prosecution Service demands a prison sentence of 36 months, of which 12 months conditional and five years probation.

“A serious suspicion and a sensitive case, also for the suspect,” said the public prosecutor. In the early morning of September 30, 2024, a woman was found in a shed in Noordwijkerhout. She was unresponsive, wearing only a sweater and covered in blood. The woman was urgently taken to the hospital.

A bucket containing the placenta was also found in the shed. At the hospital, it was discovered that under the placenta lay a newborn baby. The child, a girl, had died.

Ostrich behavior

The woman, mother of the baby, was heard as a suspect. People in her immediate environment also gave statements. It appeared that the woman knew she was pregnant. She told a friend she had taken a pregnancy test and shared the news with the babys father. The friend and the father offered help, but she refused. She acted as if nothing was wrong. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect behaved like an ostrich during her pregnancy.

The delivery

On the night of September 30, 2024, the suspect did nothing during and after the delivery to provide adequate (medical) care to her baby. She did not call emergency services or seek help from others that night. The woman told a friend her phone was too far away. However, investigations showed the suspect was active on her phone before and after the delivery. At that moment, she had the opportunity to call emergency services but failed to do so.

“If the suspect had provided proper care to her baby, for example by bringing the baby inside the house, keeping her warm in a blanket, and calling emergency services, her daughter would not have died,” said the public prosecutor. “The suspect increased the risk that the baby would die after birth to such an extent that Isabels death can reasonably be attributed to the suspect.”

The Public Prosecution Service regrets that the suspect did not cooperate with a psychological examination. She remains a closed book and thus gives no reason to offer her help through criminal law.

The court will give its verdict in two weeks.