Scandal in the children's aid system: lawsuit demands 180,000 euros in compensation!

Scandal in the children's aid system: lawsuit demands 180,000 euros in compensation!

On Friday, April 4, 2025, the judge began looking back at the criminal proceedings against two perpetrators as part of a civil proceedings that is about claims for damages against the office of the state government. This case is particularly tragic because it affects the abuse of a child. The civil lawsuit was introduced to the Krems Regional Court in November 2022 and refers to incidents that have occurred in the past. The total dispute is 180,000 euros, whereby 150,000 euros are required as a pain deposit and 30,000 euros for the interest in determination.

The victim attorney, Heinrich Nagl, expressed a willingness to talk for attempts at comparison during the negotiation, but Martin Führer, who legally represents the interests of the country, has no mandate for such discussions. The negotiating process is initially limited to the basis of the claim before the amount of the compensation is negotiated. The judges have announced several witnesses for the upcoming negotiations and an expert opinion will be obtained to evaluate the health of the child concerned.

background of the lawsuit

The lawsuit is based on the Lower Austrian Child and Youth Welfare Act, as the country acts as the bearer of child and youth welfare. At the center of the lawsuit is the procedure of two employees of the district administration Waidhofen an der Thaya. These two social workers carried out unannounced home visits on October 28 and 18, 2022 after there were two hazard reports regarding the child. There were no abnormalities, but no immediate measures were initiated due to danger in default.

The victim representative criticized the lack of reaction from the authorities and called for a personal conversation with the child in order to be able to understand the circumstances better. In this tense situation, the state of Lower Austria denies an illegality and emphasizes that all legal obligations were observed. The public prosecutor's office in Krems has discontinued the investigation against social workers for abuse of office because they acted according to the regulations.

judgment against the perpetrators

The mother of the affected child, a 34-year-old woman, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2024. Her friend received a penalty of 14 years. Both judgments are final and include accommodation in a forensic-therapeutic center. It becomes known that despite the severe abuse, the child survived thanks to the intervention of a social worker.

The case raises important questions about the approach of the authorities with families in crisis situations and is still carefully pursued by the public. Further information is in the articles on Kleine Zeitung and Beck online