Every day in Ukraine it is reported about the death of children from fragments of rockets, ballistic strikes, aerial bombs. Parents take their children out of front-line towns, spend the night in basements, and beg volunteers for evacuation. For them, the life of a child is the highest value. But in our country there are other parents – those who destroy them themselves, killing with their own hands. The event that took place in Odesa received a public response due to the way the body of the dead boy was hidden and the nature of the adults’ previous actions.
The circumstances of the case
As reported in the police of Odesa, in January 2024, in one of the apartments of the Peresypsky district of the city of Odesa, police officers discovered the body of a boy aged 1 year and 3 months, which was in a freezer. According to the investigation, the child herself, her older sister, the 18-year-old mother of both children, and her 44-year-old roommate lived in the apartment. The latter had a long-term criminal record for property crimes, including imprisonment for more than 12 years.
The child’s body lay in the freezer for about two weeks. It was wrapped in polyethylene film, put in a bag and placed in a household refrigerator. Both adults were detained, the court chose a preventive measure for them in the form of detention without bail.
Causes of death and course of events
Forensic medical examination confirmed that the child’s death occurred as a result of a burn disease, complicated by the development of a fat embolism. Medical care, under the right circumstances, could save a life.
The materials indicate that the child received thermal burns, after which her condition worsened: signs of breathing disorders, loss of consciousness, and weakness appeared. Despite this, the mother and roommate did not seek medical attention. No help was given to the child. Death occurred as a result of the inaction of adults.
As the investigation established, the mother’s roommate, after ascertaining his death, wrapped the boy’s body in film, hid it in a travel bag, and then moved it to a freezer. During this time, the older child stayed in the apartment, and was also not contacted by any service. The body was discovered during an inspection of the house by law enforcement officers. Only after that, criminal proceedings were initiated.
Investigators charged both adults with part 3 of Article 135 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — “abandonment in danger that caused the death of a minor.” The woman was additionally charged under Article 166 of the Criminal Procedure Code — “malicious failure to fulfill the duties of caring for a child”, the roommate — under Part 1 of Article 297 of the Criminal Procedure Code — “insulting the body of the deceased.” The indictment was sent to the court. The maximum prescribed sanction is up to eight years of imprisonment.
At the time of the investigation, the older child was removed from the family and sent to a children’s institution. She is under observation, her life is not in danger.
Investigation into the actions of officials
In addition to the main case, investigators singled out a separate proceeding regarding possible official negligence on the part of local self-government bodies. These are officials who are responsible for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of children. The proceedings were opened under Part 2 of Article 137 of the Criminal Code — “improper performance of duties regarding the protection of children’s life and health, which caused serious consequences.”
According to the procedure, the investigation should check whether regular inspections of housing conditions were carried out, whether the family was registered with social services, whether there were signals about a threat to the children’s lives, and if so, how the responsible structures responded to them.
There are no signs of premeditated murder in the case file. It is about long-term neglect of medical care, indifference to the symptoms of the disease, ignoring the need to consult a doctor, as well as deliberately concealing the fact of death using technical means. At the same time, such actions do not relieve the responsibility of adults who had full actual power over the child and did not use any available means of assistance.
Additional proceedings against the officials are aimed at finding out whether the system of supervision of dysfunctional families worked, whether there were signs of danger, and whether there was an opportunity to prevent the event.
Therefore, the event that happened in Odesa is considered within the framework of criminal proceedings as a result of improper performance of duties by the mother and her roommate, as well as – presumably – insufficient response of the services. The child’s death was not accidental and was not related to external circumstances — it occurred as a result of the actions and inaction of specific individuals. The case has been referred to the court, the investigation continues in a separate direction regarding government officials. The second child lives in a temporary care facility. The final conclusions will be made by the court.
