The parents of an infant found frozen in an apartment in Kypseli, Athens, are appearing before an investigating magistrate for a second day as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The 43-year-old man and his 38-year-old German partner, who are described as the infant’s parents, were remanded in custody on Wednesday after appearing before the magistrate over drug-related charges. On Thursday, they returned to face a new felony prosecution for the intentional homicide of their nine-month-old son, as well as additional charges.
A 26-year-old Afghan man who is said to have been in a relationship with the couple’s 15-year-old daughter was also brought before the magistrate. He faces additional charges involving sexual acts with a minor.
Parents face homicide charges
Prosecutors have charged the 43-year-old man and his partner with intentional homicide committed jointly.
The charges also include carrying and using a weapon, jointly possessing ammunition illegally, and giving false testimony on multiple occasions.
The couple’s earlier appearance before the magistrate concerned violations of drug laws. The three defendants were remanded in custody following those proceedings.
The latest proceedings focus on the death of the infant, whose body was found frozen and with knife wounds to the back. According to the forensic findings cited in the case, the wounds were inflicted while the child was still alive and were linked to his death.
Forensic findings challenge father’s account
In an interview obtained by Greek television station MEGA, the 43-year-old denied involvement in the infant’s death and claimed that the child had suffered serious health problems.
“What happened to this baby? This baby was sick. He had something with his intestines and a hernia, and he died in our hands,” he said, according to the report.
The man’s account has also raised questions about basic details concerning the child. He initially said the infant was born in 2021, although he was not certain of the date. When told that his partner had stated that the child was born in 2022, he continued to insist on his version.
The parents are also reported to have given conflicting accounts of what happened at the time of the infant’s death. The 43-year-old said that all members of the family were present, while the 38-year-old said she was not at home.
The father has also claimed that the knife wounds were inflicted after the child’s death and freezing, when he was attempting to remove ice from the body.
The forensic findings cited in the investigation contradict that account, indicating that the wounds were inflicted while the infant was still alive and contributed to his death. Nearly 20 wounds were reportedly found, primarily on the child’s back.
The forensic findings also appear to contradict the father’s claim that the infant had suffered from a medical condition, including a hernia involving the intestine.
The fact that the baby lost blood while still alive is considered a significant finding by the forensic examiner and further supports the conclusion that the infant’s death was a homicide.
Children’s statements central to investigation
Authorities are also focusing on statements from the couple’s three children, aged 9, 12 and 15.
The two boys, aged 9 and 12, were transferred from a children’s hospital to the Child’s House, where they were interviewed in the presence of a child psychologist.
Their statements are considered important to the investigation, with police hoping they will help clarify what happened before the infant’s death.
As reports state, the 15-year-old originally was not able to provide a statement because she was experiencing withdrawal from drugs and was being closely monitored by doctors.
Later, according to Greek media, the 15-year-old girl said she knew that the baby had died and later learned that the body had been placed in a freezer. The 12-year-old boy said he also learned at some point that the baby was in the freezer, while the 9-year-old said he knew nothing about the infant.
However, the children’s examination is not considered complete. A second and third round of interviews are expected as authorities seek to clarify fully what each child knew about the case.
Information reported by Greece’s public broadcaster ERT indicates that some elements of the children’s accounts converge with claims previously made by their parents during the preliminary investigation.
Separate case involving 15-year-old
The 26-year-old Afghan man who was in a relationship with the family’s 15-year-old daughter is also appearing before the magistrate.
Prosecutors have filed additional charges against him concerning sexual acts with a minor.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the children’s living conditions, drug use and information relating to the family’s records and the children’s births, as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
