The 27-year-old man from Assen, who is suspected of manslaughter of his 12-week-old son, remains in custody. There is no prospect of the substantive treatment of the case yet, because the investigation has been delayed. Nevertheless, the court finds that there is sufficient reason to detain the suspect for the time being.
The Assenaar himself called the emergency services at the beginning of October. His son was seriously injured by a fall from the commode. The child later died of severe brain injury. The man could not properly explain the fall of the child. He was alone with his son at the time. The preliminary investigation shows that it is more likely that the injury was caused by violent acts. The child may have been shaken or hit on the head.
In addition, an older fracture in the child’s arm was also discovered. A neuropathologist investigates the possible cause of all the injuries. The final report is expected in November. “Neuropathologists are scarce in the Netherlands,” the public prosecutor explained the delay. Alternative scenarios have been put forward by the suspect’s family. The injury would have been caused, for example, by colliding with the bars of the box.
“A forensic pediatrician has been appointed to further investigate these scenarios. The case is being delayed which cannot be attributed to the suspect,” said lawyer Maartje Schaap. The Assenaar has now been in custody for eight months. “His entire family is shocked that he is still in custody and would like to mourn with him,” said the suspect’s counsel. For the eighth time, it was requested that the man be released pending trial.
The judge did not agree: “If your story were correct, you should indeed not be detained. But I cannot determine that on the basis of what is now before me”. The fourth introductory session is scheduled for September. The substantive treatment is expected in the course of 2024.