A trial has begun in Odessa for a 27-year-old man accused of repeatedly physically abusing his young children – a two-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
In one instance, the father inflicted injuries of varying severity on them. He faces a possible prison sentence.
This was reported by the Main Department of the National Police in Odessa region.
According to law enforcement, the incident occurred in October 2024. They found that the 27-year-old father had been hitting his daughter regularly for two months whenever she cried, attempting to "calm" her down in this manner.
When the child's condition worsened, her 24-year-old mother called an ambulance. The woman stated that she was "afraid to oppose her husband."
The girl was hospitalized with head and body injuries to the intensive care unit of the Odessa Regional Children's Clinical Hospital.
"The couple had not previously come to the attention of police or child services. In addition to their daughter, they have a two-year-old son, who, according to preliminary reports, was also abused by the father. Doctors are examining the boy, who is suspected to have a closed fracture of the thigh bone," the police of Odessa reported.
A forensic examination confirmed that the children sustained injuries of varying severity. The boy was diagnosed with a closed fracture of the thigh, abrasions, and bruises, while his sister suffered multiple bruises, closed rib fractures, lung contusions, and brain injuries that resulted in swelling and a coma.
The children have been removed from the family and are currently in a state children's institution.
The 27-year-old man has been charged under part 1 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional infliction of serious bodily injury to a child).
Investigators have opened another case under part 1 of Article 122 of the Criminal Code regarding the infliction of medium severity bodily injuries to the boy.
The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention without the right to bail.
The indictment against the man has been sent to court. He remains in custody and faces up to eight years in prison for his actions.
Additionally, authorities have separated materials regarding the parents for Article 166 of the Criminal Code (gross failure to fulfill parental responsibilities). The sanctions of this article allow for imprisonment of up to five years.
Previously, we reported that a 41-year-old woman was tried in Prykarpattia for throwing her newborn into a well.
