Woman held over death of young girl found on Athens beach, child neglect history traced – eKathimerini.com

Incident Report: Child Fatality in Palaio Faliro, Athens

Case Summary

Authorities in Athens have detained a woman of Algerian origin in connection with the death of her three-year-old daughter. The child’s body was discovered on Edem beach in Palaio Faliro. The case highlights significant challenges related to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including child welfare, migrant rights, and institutional effectiveness.

Investigation and Key Findings

Timeline of Events and Evidence

1. The body of a young girl, estimated to be three years old, was found on Edem beach.
2. CCTV footage captured a woman with three children, one in a stroller wearing a distinctive swimsuit that matched the one on the deceased child. The swimsuit, manufactured in Brazil and not sold in Greece, became a key piece of evidence.
3. Further footage showed the woman abandoning the empty stroller and leaving the area in a taxi.
4. Investigators successfully traced the taxi driver, who led them to a residence in Kato Patissia.
5. The suspect was arrested as she attempted to leave the residence with her two other children.

Suspect’s Preliminary Statement

The detained mother, who is not a legal resident in Greece, has reportedly claimed the child’s death was accidental. She alleges the girl, who was ill, fell and sustained a head injury. Fearing repercussions due to her undocumented status, she chose not to seek medical assistance and instead took the child to the beach. Reports suggest the child may have been alive when abandoned.

Analysis of Systemic Failures through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

This case raises critical questions about the strength and efficacy of child protection institutions.

• Target 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children): The death of the child represents a catastrophic failure to protect the most vulnerable.
• Institutional History: The suspect has a prior history with child welfare services. In July 2022, she was arrested for child neglect involving another infant but was subsequently released. This previous interaction suggests a potential gap in the system’s ability to provide long-term monitoring and support for at-risk families.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The suspect’s legal status appears to be a direct barrier to accessing essential services, demonstrating the intersection of inequality and health outcomes.

• Access to Healthcare (SDG 3): The mother’s alleged fear of seeking medical help for her injured child due to her lack of legal documents underscores how inequality can have fatal consequences. This prevents the realization of universal health coverage.
• Vulnerability of Migrants (SDG 10): The case exemplifies the heightened vulnerability of undocumented individuals, who may avoid contact with authorities even in life-threatening emergencies. This points to a failure to reduce inequalities and ensure the protection of all individuals, regardless of migratory status.
• Well-being of Surviving Children: The two surviving boys, who are believed to have witnessed the incident, require specialized psychological support to address severe trauma, a critical component of ensuring their long-term health and well-being.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Reports of domestic violence within the family introduce another layer of complexity, linking the incident to broader issues of gender equality and safety.

• Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls): The reported history of domestic violence indicates an environment of instability and danger, which disproportionately affects women and children and is a direct violation of this SDG target. The unaccounted-for status of the father is a significant factor in this context.

Current Status and Next Steps

• The mother remains in custody and is pending formal questioning, which will require a certified interpreter.
• The two surviving children are under the care of authorities, with special measures planned for their interviews as witnesses.
• The father of the children, believed to be a Syrian national, is currently unaccounted for.
• The investigation is ongoing to determine the precise circumstances leading to the child’s death.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article discusses the death of a young child, which directly relates to child mortality. The child was reportedly ill, suffered a serious head injury, and did not receive medical attention, highlighting a failure in ensuring a healthy life and well-being.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The mention of a “history of domestic violence involving the family” points to issues of violence against women and girls, a key concern of SDG 5.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • This goal is central to the article. It covers violence against children (neglect, death), the justice system’s response (arrest, investigation, prosecution), and access to justice. The mother’s fear of authorities due to her illegal residency status demonstrates a barrier to accessing justice and essential services. The previous case of child neglect and her subsequent release also calls into question the effectiveness of child welfare and judicial institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The death of the three-year-old girl, who was reportedly ill and suffered an injury without receiving medical care, is a direct example of a potentially preventable death of a child under five.

2. Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres…” The article’s reference to a “history of domestic violence involving the family” directly aligns with this target to eliminate violence against women.

3. Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The child’s death and the reported history of domestic violence are clear instances of violence and a related death.
   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The core of the article revolves around violence against a child, leading to her death, and a prior history of child neglect (“arrested and charged with child neglect”).
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The mother’s decision not to seek medical help because she “lack[ed] legal residency documents” illustrates a failure in providing equal access to justice and essential services, as fear of deportation prevented her from seeking help for her child.
   • Target 16.9: “By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.” The mother is described as “not legally residing in Greece.” This status implies that her children may also lack legal identity and birth registration, which is a significant barrier to accessing rights and protection.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 3

   • Indicator 3.2.1 (Under-5 mortality rate): The death of the three-year-old girl is a data point for this indicator.

2. Indicators for SDG 5

   • Indicator 5.2.1 (Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence): The “history of domestic violence” reported in the article implies the occurrence of events measured by this indicator.

3. Indicators for SDG 16

   • Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population): The child’s death is being investigated and could be classified as a homicide, making it relevant to this indicator.
   • Indicator 16.2.1 (Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers): The article details an extreme case of violence and neglect by a caregiver, leading to a child’s death, and a previous charge of “child neglect.” These events are measured by this indicator.
   • Indicator 16.9.1 (Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority): The mother’s status as “not legally residing in Greece” strongly implies that her children may not have a legal identity or birth registration, which is what this indicator tracks.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ekathimerini.com