A young woman from Kosovo is facing manslaughter charges in Germany for letting her four-year-old daughter suffer for almost two weeks after she scalded her with almost boiling water as a punishment for soiling her pants.
Cruel Vjolca V. – whose surname has been withheld due to Germany’s strict privacy laws – deliberately poured hot water on the belly and legs of her daughter at their flat in Grasberg near Bremen, northern Germany, in August 2022.
The girl – who has not been named by the authorities – suffered burns to 35 per cent of her body’s skin and severe injuries to her pubic area.
For 12 days, her 25-year-old mum did nothing but put antibiotic ointments on the wounds.
Prosecutors say the small child lost consciousness several times during her ordeal.
Twelve days after her vicious assault, Vjolca eventually took her daughter to see a doctor. The physician immediately ordered her hospitalisation. She died in a nearby hospital on the same day.
Verden Court judge Volker Stronczyk said the defendant might also be charged with murder for failing to provide help and assistance.
Vjolca remains in custody as legal proceedings continue. Childcare authorities took her other two children from her following the death of their four-year-old sibling.
State prosecutor Dr Annette Marquardt accuses her of deliberately accepting the possible death of her child to save costs caused by any comprehensive therapies.
The prosecutor claimed Vjolca forced the four-year-old to sit down and spread her legs before pouring the hot water on the lower part of her body.
Dr Marquardt said: “The child had to endure unbearable pains. It was unable to eat or drink anything. The girl’s skin had turned black.”
On the first day of the court case in Verden on Tuesday (21st February), a spokeswoman for the court said the Kosovo-born suspect promised to provide the court with a written statement when her trial continues on 6th March.
The father of the child – who has separated from the defendant and did not live with them when the attack happened – acts as a joint plaintiff.
A verdict is not expected before May.
