Tirol prosecutors charge parents over severely malnourished girl

Prosecutors in Innsbruck have charged the parents of a seven-year-old girl who was admitted to hospital in a life-threatening state of malnutrition, ORF reported. They allege the parents failed to provide appropriate medical care and nutrition for the child, who has a rare skin condition.

The girl had lost weight to 11 kilograms and was unable to move by herself because shortened tendons had severely restricted her mobility, prosecutors’ spokesman Hansjörg Mayr said. Her family doctor urged her admission to Innsbruck Hospital in late April.

The parents’ whereabouts were unknown after the girl was admitted, and both were sought under European arrest warrants. They turned themselves in to police two weeks later. Both were initially placed in pre-trial detention. The father has since been released by order of the Higher Regional Court and instructed not to contact his daughter. The mother remains in detention over concerns she could commit further offences.

The girl is now doing better, given the circumstances. A court has transferred custody of her and her healthy younger brother to child and youth services.

The indictment accuses the parents of repeatedly using violence against a child under 14. Prosecutors say the offence can also be committed by failing to provide necessary care. A conviction could carry a prison sentence of two to 10 years.

No trial date has been set. The indictment can still be challenged and is not yet legally effective. The defendants deny the allegations, and the presumption of innocence applies.