A 26-year-old mother from Heidelberg has been sentenced to three years in prison for deliberately making her three-year-old daughter ill by injecting her with germs over several weeks in the summer of 2023. The Landgericht Heidelberg found her guilty of mistreatment of a person under protection and dangerous bodily harm, as confirmed by a court spokesperson. Additionally, the court has ordered her placement in a psychiatric facility.

The prosecution detailed how the mother allegedly administered the germs through a venous access, leading to a severe infection in the child. The young girl underwent numerous medical treatments, including a bone marrow puncture, and suffered from high fever, significant discomfort, and the isolation of hospital confinement. The court's decision is not yet final, with the possibility of an appeal within one week, though none has been filed to date.

Authorities believe the mother's actions were aimed at worsening her child's health to necessitate continued hospital treatment. There were no indications of permanent damage to the child based on the case files. The prosecution suggested the mother suffers from an emotionally unstable personality disorder and opioid dependency, with an expert also suspecting Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition where caregivers fabricate or induce illness in those under their care for attention and sympathy.

The case, which has drawn significant media attention, highlights the severe consequences of such harmful actions on vulnerable individuals. The child, from St. Leon-Rot in the Rhein-Neckar district, endured considerable suffering before the intervention of authorities. The court's ruling underscores the legal system's stance on protecting the welfare of children and addressing the mental health needs of those who harm them.