Provisional jail time for the parents of a one-month-old baby for mistreatment and sexual assault

BarcelonaA 42-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman have been in pretrial detention since last Friday, under investigation for alleged mistreatment, serious injuries, and sexual assault of their son, a baby just over a month old. The couple was arrested last Wednesday, March 18, and on Friday, March 20, they appeared before the Barcelona court specializing in violence against children and adolescents. The judge ordered them held in pretrial detention without bail, as explained this Monday by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC). Among the arguments put forward by the Prosecutor's Office to request the parents' imprisonment were the risk that the abuse would continue and the possibility that the arrested individuals might choose to flee given the severity of the penalties they face. The Prosecutor's Office also saw the risk that the parents could "violate the child's legal rights."

For their part, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) have confirmed the arrest of the couple last week in the city of Barcelona. Sources within the force have also explained that the investigation remains open despite the parents' provisional imprisonment. The parents had no prior criminal record.

Evidence of assault

The complaint reportedly came from hospital staff who treated the baby and found evidence of abuse. The baby is now under the guardianship of the Directorate General for the Prevention and Protection of Children and Adolescents (DGPPIA). Sources from the Prosecutor's Office added that they also requested, as precautionary measures, both pretrial detention and the suspension of parental rights.