Traumatic fall birth: 21-year-old admits killing her newborn

Traumatic fall birth: 21-year-old admits killing her newborn

At the Vienna regional court, a 21-year-old woman from Burgenland confessed to killing her newborn. The shocking act occurred after the birth of her son on December 9, 2024 in a hotel lobby. According to a report, the defendant was in a psychological and physical state of emergency, which played a decisive role during the trial. The public prosecutor's office charged the woman with killing a child during birth and disturbing the peace of the dead, but not with murder. The possible sentence could be between six months and five years in prison. 5min reported about the background of the case.

Before the birth, the defendant had no idea she was pregnant. She had her period until the birth and took birth control pills. The child's father, with whom she had been in a relationship since December 2023, was also unclear about the pregnancy. One worrying aspect is that the woman had gained weight during pregnancy but had not noticed a pregnant belly.

The day of birth

The couple's trip to Vienna for a long weekend took unexpected turns. On December 8, 2024, the woman complained of abdominal pain and vomited several times. The following day her condition worsened and while she remained at the hotel, her partner went to a pharmacy. She then went into labor in the hotel lobby and had a fall birth in the hotel toilet. The newborn fell into the toilet seat; the defendant tore the umbilical cord and held the child. Loud ORF The child was viable, but died due to compression of the soft tissues of the neck.

After the crime, the young mother acted desperately: she wiped up the blood, put the dead baby in a garbage bag and pretended to have her period. The body was later found in the garbage container. The situation escalated further when the woman called the Vienna emergency services due to heavy bleeding. After examinations at the hospital, it was discovered that she had recently given birth.

Psychological stress on parents

The case raises questions about maternal mental health. A data report from the Mothers' Recovery Work shows that over 90% of mothers who took part in mother or mother-child cures suffered from psychological symptoms such as exhaustion, sleep and anxiety disorders. A main reason for applying for a treatment is the constant time pressure, which puts a lot of strain on parents. In addition, many report difficulties in balancing work and family. The maternal recovery work therefore calls for better support and information for affected families.

In a world where mothers are often under pressure and lack support systems, this case highlights the extreme impact that psychological distress can have on families. It is to be hoped that the discussion around mental health and improving support for expectant mothers and fathers will be stimulated by such tragic events.