Mother in court for manslaughter of newborn twins!

Mother in court for manslaughter of newborn twins!

The regional court in Dessau-Roßlau is currently dealing with a shocking case: the 30-year-old mother, who is accused of manslaughter of her newborn twins, is on trial. The tragic events took place over a year ago, when the twins were born in November 2024 without medical help. A DNA report, the results of which will be presented next Monday, should provide information about whether there were other people at the crime scene. This reports MDR.

The two girls, Clara and Hannah, were born in a hidden pregnancy and died shortly after birth from lack of oxygen, although they would have been alive and viable. The tragedy began when the defendant called her mother for help after the birth. She later discovered the dead infants when she went to get clothes for her daughter and alerted the police. The investigators found towels and washcloths in which the babies were wrapped in the defendant's apartment - these pieces of evidence are now being subjected to DNA analysis.

Unbelievable circumstances

The situation surrounding the defendant, who already had three children, two of whom live with her and one who was given up for adoption, is made even more tragic by her previous history. She had been using crystal meth for several years, which certainly affected her psychological state. However, a psychiatric report concluded that there was no evidence of incapacity. According to her defense attorney, her remorse is great – she is “completely desperate” and feels “unspeakably sorry.”

A total of seven days of negotiations have been scheduled for the trial. So far, the defendant's mother has refused to testify as a witness. A verdict is expected in early December. If convicted, the defendant could face a prison sentence of at least five years.

Crime context and social relevance

This incident falls into a context that also affects German crime statistics. In 2024, police crime statistics recorded a decrease in crime by 1.7% to around 5.84 million cases. Particularly worth mentioning are the less frequent cannabis offenses due to partial legalization, which has been in force since April 1, 2024. Nevertheless, people's perception of security remains a key aspect, as the increase in crimes that affect people's sense of security cannot be overlooked. The sensitive issue of family crimes shows that crimes against life, such as manslaughter and murder, only account for 0.1% of recorded crimes. The statistics show that numerous factors influence how and why crimes are recorded or not recorded.

The investigation and the upcoming trial into the death of the two twin girls not only raise questions about their individual fates, but also reflect how difficult the situation is for many mothers in precarious situations. The ongoing debates about support systems for crimes in the family and environment belong in this context. This tragedy could spark an important discussion about the role of the state in supporting pregnant women and new mothers. The high crime rates combined with family tragedies like this show that there is a need for action to make our society safer. This also confirms the relevance of the ongoing discussion about crime in Germany Statista summarizes.