The Krems public prosecutor’s office has filed charges in the case of a twelve-year-old who is said to have been locked in a dog crate and tortured by his mother in the Waldviertel. This is now with the regional court, said authority spokesman Franz Hütter on Thursday. No further details are available yet.
The boy’s 32-year-old mother was investigated for, among other things, attempted murder. A 40-year-old possible accomplice was considered a contributing perpetrator. Suspicion of torturing minors. There was also the suspicion of torturing or neglecting minors, younger or defenseless people and deprivation of liberty. Hütter did not provide any information about the accused or the offenses covered by the charges. It was pointed out that the document must first be delivered to those affected. Locked in a dog crate for hours. The 32-year-old is said to have beaten, tied, gagged her son, among other things, from the beginning of September to November 2022 and repeatedly locked him in a dog crate for hours. She is also said to have let the child starve. On November 23, 2022, the boy only had a body temperature of 26.8 degrees and was in a coma. A social worker is said to have called the rescue team. The child was taken to a clinic. The health condition later improved. According to media reports, hospital staff and a teacher may have previously informed the authorities. Mother in custody since autumn 2022 The mother was placed in custody in autumn 2022. At the beginning of March, the 40-year-old was arrested as a possible accomplice and was also taken into custody. The woman could have given the 32-year-old instructions. There were also charges against a police officer, but not in connection with the tormenting of the child. According to media reports, this is the 40-year-old’s ex-partner, who may have helped the woman cover up her actions. The investigation against him was legally closed in August. Criticism of the authorities was voiced in the media several times. The child and youth welfare agency emphasized that an immediate review of the internal processes after the case became known showed that “all requirements were met.” Final report expected in January A six-member expert group was set up by the state and began its work in August. According to Lower Austrian State Councilor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ), the independent commission should review legal regulations, processes and interfaces and make any suggestions for improvements. A final report is expected for January 2024; there will be no interim report.
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