Human
rights news: January 2005
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21 January 2005 |
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Djurkovo social care institution officials charged with 13 child deaths |
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Sofia, 21 January 2005 - The former director of the social care institution for children with developmental disabilities in the village of Djurkovo, near Laki, Stefka Nikolova, has been charged with causing the death of 13 children from the institution by negligence. The Plovdiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has also charged the head nurse Rumjana Yankova and the institution's senior nurse Krassimir Ushev. According to the indictment order, with their negligent attitude the three are responsible for the deaths of 13 children from the home in the period December 1996 - March 1997. Forensic evidence reveals that the deaths were caused by hypothermia, systematic malnutrition and severe lung diseases. Most of the deceased children were diagnosed with pneumonia and hypothermia. Severe money shortages during this period lead to shutting off the heat in the rooms. The children were changed into wet clothes and blankets, and were underfed. The home director - currently working in the Luki municipality - claims that she requested more money for fuel from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy immediately after the first death in the Djurkovo home. It was purchased only in March, i.e. a month after the last death case. The investigation in the home revealed that some of the children had never been examined by a doctor. According to Stefka Nikolova, she did everything she could to take care of the mentally disabled children and claims that she had asked the Social Ministry and the then District Governor Petko Tsarev for help even before the first death case. Aid was sent only in April, a month after the tragedy. The case will be heard on February 23. If found guilty, Stefka Nikolova, Rumjana Yankova and Krassimir Ushev could get between 5 and 15 years of imprisonment. |