Shock find in the Europapark: Babyliche discovered under bushes!

Shock find in the Europapark: Babyliche discovered under bushes!

On Saturday morning, a tragic find was made in the Europapark in Klagenfurt. An employee of the city discovered a bag under a bush in which there were heavily decayed bones. After initial investigations, the police found at around 6 p.m. that it was the remains of a male infant. The police have already started investigations, but not because of murder, but because of killing a child at birth. This indicates that the newborn was killed immediately after birth.

The site of the infant is located on the only hill of the park, just a few hundred meters from the stage of the "Starnacht am Wörthersee". While artists posed for photos, the police were on duty to lock the area and to assure evidence. Grace dogs were also used to look for the mother of the baby whose identity and location are currently unknown.

context about neonatizide

The term for killing a newborn within the first 24 hours after birth is "neonatizid". Studies show that the reasons for such crimes often lie in the mental constitution of mothers. Child and adolescent psychiatrists Frank Häßler explains that many women who keep their pregnancies secret often have no access to medical care and suffer from psychological problems. In the most common cases, it is a panic reaction to unexpected births that lead to these tragic acts.

Studies, like that of Dr. Claudia Klier from the MedUni Vienna have found risk factors that are connected to neonatizids. These include the negation of pregnancy both by the woman herself and her social environment. Between 1995 and 2005, every third infant killed was the result of a previously not recognized repetition. In Austria, the number of newborn killings is declining, which is attributed to the introduction of anonymous birth in 2002, but the problem remains.

a call to support

• neonatizide: killing a child in the first 24 hours after birth.
• risk factors: psychological problems, lack of access to medical care, displacement of pregnancy.
• help offers: anonymous delivery, baby flaps, help telephones.
• recommended measures: introduction of family midwives to support families in need.

Häßler emphasizes how important empathetic and supportive reactions of the parents are. An increased sensitization to the topic can help women find help in need in time. Offers such as anonymous births or pregnancy support are crucial to minimize the risk that such tragedies are repeated.

In the current situation in Klagenfurt, it remains to be seen how the investigation progresses and whether the baby's mother can be found. The find is a shocking example of a serious social problem and calls for discussion about offers of help and preventive measures.