MAASTRICHT - A 36-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman from Landgraaf have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter of their two-and-a-half-month-old son.
The examining magistrate in Maastricht yesterday determined that both will remain in custody for at least another 14 days. This was confirmed by press officer Wim Smits. After the child died last Friday, the general practitioner doubted whether there was a natural cause of death and called in the police and justice department. Thereupon, the baby's parents were arrested, says lawyer Erik Maessen of the male suspect. Brain damage is believed to have caused the baby's death. In any case, the prosecution assumes a non-natural cause of death and for now suspects both parents of manslaughter, Smits said.
"They are each suspected of manslaughter, so not manslaughter in union." Attorney Maessen did not find that the family was under the supervision of, for example, Bureau Jeugdzorg. His client has another child from a previous relationship. Counsel cannot say what his client has stated because he is "under restriction.
This means that, except with his lawyer, he is not allowed any contact with the outside world. That is also the reason why lawyer Van Oppen of the female suspect believes he should completely refrain from commenting.
