The trial of a woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter and leaving her in the sea off Palaio Faliro, a coastal suburb of Athens, began Monday, with the court hearing details about injuries allegedly found on the child before her death.

The Algerian woman faces charges of intentional homicide committed in a calm state of mind and dangerous bodily harm in connection with the death of her daughter, Jenna, whose body was found in the sea in July 2025.

During Monday’s proceedings, the court heard evidence concerning the toddler’s condition before she died. According to a report by Greece’s Star television, the 3-year-old had bruises and injuries that she is believed to have sustained before she was left in the water.

The mother allegedly dressed the toddler in clothing that concealed signs of abuse and placed a white hat on her that obscured her face.

The defendant, however, maintains that the child’s death followed an accident and says she believed her daughter was already dead when she took her to the coast.

According to her account, she left Patissia, a neighborhood in central Athens, with her children and traveled to Palaio Faliro, where she left the 3-year-old in the sea.

Evidence in the case, however, indicates that the girl was still alive when she entered the water. Drowning is listed as the cause of death.