A 19-year-old mother in Lohja, Finland faces murder allegations after her newborn baby died on the same day it was born. Police say the infant died on October 17 despite resuscitation attempts by emergency responders.
The newborn's death occurred in a private apartment where both the mother and her partner were present at the time. The partner made the emergency call to authorities. Investigators are still determining whether this person is also the baby's biological father.
Police are investigating the case as murder, alleging the mother "immediately after birth intentionally failed to properly care for the baby." This neglect led to the child's death according to official statements.
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the police characterization of the incident as "serious and cruel neglect" targeting a defenseless newborn. The mother was arrested on October 21 by court order while her partner was released after questioning.
Police continue to examine the partner's actions and potential involvement in any crime. Authorities currently see no need to detain the partner for further investigation.
Criminal Inspector Maria Hietajärvi clarified that neither parent is suspected of active physical violence against the baby after birth, contrary to some speculation. The focus remains on the alleged neglect that caused the infant's death.
This tragic case highlights the extreme vulnerability of newborns and raises difficult questions about parental responsibility and mental health support for young parents in Finland.
Lohja is a municipality in southern Finland with approximately 45,000 residents, located about 60 kilometers west of Helsinki. Finnish law treats newborn neglect resulting in death as murder, reflecting the seriousness with which such cases are viewed.