Neglected Guardianship in Kamchatka Led to Girl's Starvation Death
Headline: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Officials in Education Department Under Scrutiny for Negligence After Five-Year-Old's Death
Dispatch from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Kamchatka Krai)
Crime
Authorities in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are now pursuing a criminal case against officials from the city's education department. Charges of negligence are being leveled (Article 293, Part 2 of the Criminal Code) following the tragic demise of a five-year-old girl in a foster family.
"The case arose due to the subpar execution of tasks by unidentified officials within the guardianship and custody department of the education department of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky's administration," the statement explained. "They neglected to ensure the foster parent adhered to the guidelines for the girl's care, upbringing, and medical treatment, which ultimately led to her untimely death."
Previously, a 44-year-old city resident was apprehended on suspicion of committing heinous acts of murder against the child. Reports indicate the woman, who provided care for the girl, intentionally withheld food, resulting in the child's eventual passing in a medical facility.
Court documents reveal that guardianship officials failed to conduct standard visits to the family, thereby neglecting their obligation to assess the ward's living conditions. Instead, they conjured false inspection reports.
The Kamchatka prosecutor's office disclosed that "the aforementioned authorities were duty-bound to routinely visit the foster family where the child was under guardianship, but they did not, and instead fabricated false inspection reports." Their negligence led to the young girl's untimely demise, who required specialized care, attention, and nutrition.
The criminal case against the foster parent is being scrutinized under points "v" and "d", Part 2 of Article 105 of the Criminal Code (murder of a minor with extreme cruelty). Investigations assert that from March 2024 to January 2025, the woman, tasked with caring for a girl with health issues, denied her normal sustenance and disregarded prescribed treatments.
The woman was aware of the girl's congenital illness and familiar with medical recommendations, yet she systematically overlooked them and the child's emaciated state, ultimately leading to cachexia and further complications like pneumonia. Consequently, the young girl passed away in the hospital.
A judge has opted to remand the accused in custody. In addition to the deceased girl, the woman was co-parenting five children, three of whom she took under her guardianship as part of this case.
It's worth noting that cases of negligence in regional education departments in Russia, including Kamchatka Krai, are not commonly publicized unless they involve severe misconduct or significant consequences. Offenders found to be negligent may face administrative penalties, disciplinary measures, or legal repercussions depending on the gravity of their actions and decisions from Russian law enforcement or legal institutions.
For more comprehensive insights, one would have to refer to local government reports, regional news, or official announcements from Kamchatka Krai’s education authorities or legal institutions.
The investigation into the negative actions of officials from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky's education department has expanded beyond the initial case of the foster parent's alleged crimes, extending into charges of negligence under Article 293, Part 2 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, the general news and politics scene in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is being influenced by this developing story of neglect and its impact on the welfare of children under the care of the education department.
