“A Child’s Smile” encourages not to ignore any incident related to danger for children

In Patras, two children from the same family died within a year of each other. “Smile of a Child” received anonymous messages.

Police and prosecutors are currently investigating the deaths of two babies – one died in an Athens hospital this year, the other a year earlier. A Child’s Smile reports that the organization has received anonymous reports about this family:

“The national SOS 1056 telephone line received anonymous reports about the mother’s living conditions between 2017 and 2020, which clearly indicated her vulnerable situation. As in every similar incident, the competent police and prosecutor’s offices were immediately informed in order to mobilize all procedures to protect the children. It is worth noting that one of the messages was sent with the mark “Urgent”. Previously, in August 2015, the European Disappearance Hotline 116000 received a call from the local security department regarding the disappearance of a then minor mother, but before we could make the information public, she returned home.”

In December 2020, A Child’s Smile said in a statement, the organization was visited by a member of that family and was monitored by the local police department at the order of the prosecutor. The organization notes:

“In 2023, a mother contacted the agency’s health department for advice on procedural issues regarding an infant who was being treated in an Athens hospital. A few days later, we were informed that the infant had died. During the same period, the organization was contacted by social services of the area where case, and the fact was mentioned that a year ago a child from the mother’s first pregnancy died in a similar way, which is very worrying for the service. Since then, the competent police and prosecutor’s office have been investigating the causes of death of the mother’s two babies.”

In this case, notes “A Child’s Smile”, questions arise regarding the coordination of the competent police and prosecutorial authorities, as well as social services, who were investigating the living conditions of the mother’s family – since it was obvious that the mother had been in a vulnerable family environment since childhood – and were also responsible for the support she received as a new mother.

Once again, “A Child’s Smile” reminds us that cases of abuse or neglect of children are the responsibility of the prosecutor’s office and the police, who must investigate each such case. Moreover, each report should be assessed by a specialized group, and not by one person.

“The Smile of a Child” calls on the whole society to be attentive and caring and reminds – The national telephone line SOS 1056 is available every day and every hour, it operates 24 hours a day. Each message, named or anonymous, is received by telephone by 1056 specialized social workers and psychologists.

Specialists, free of charge and confidential, provide the necessary psycho-emotional support to every child and adult who is looking for help. Each request is assessed by a specialized team; it is not the work of one person. If it is determined that the information is valid or probable, it is transmitted to the competent prosecutor of the region where the call was received.

In case of any incident involving danger to a child, call the National Children’s Hotline SOS 1056 or use Chat 1056 by sending a text message. To receive counseling support for children and adults, call the European Children’s Helpline 116111 – daily, 24 hours a day.

In the meantime, writes newsbeast.gr, the prosecutor instructed the social service of the municipality and the police to continue the investigation into the death of two babies, for whom help, unfortunately, did not have time to come.

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