Mother from Albstadt accused: Newborn died in washing machine!

Mother from Albstadt accused: Newborn died in washing machine!

In Albstadt, a tragic case causes horror: A 35-year-old mother is under charge of manslaughter after her newborn was found dead in a washing machine on March 30, 2025. The public prosecutor has raised the indictment, and so the woman is currently in custody and has not yet commented on the serious allegations. According to swp , the mother is said to have kept her pregnancy secret and the child secretly gave birth to the child in the bathroom.

The shocking details of the case are that the mother put the newborn in the washing machine together with dirty laundry after birth. She accepted that her partner could hire the machine without knowing about birth. This actually happened - the partner started the washing machine without guessing what was in the drum.

traumatic end

A autopsy showed that the baby died of severe skull trauma and due to lack of oxygen caused by the washing process. According to the public prosecutor, the mother could be held responsible for the child's death, since she not only approved the death of the newborn, but also accepted him. The relevant legal foundations are based on § 212 StGB (homicide) and § 25 StGB (perpetrator) reports the Tagesschau .

What could a mother who acts in such a desperate Situation? This is where the psychological stress comes into play that many women experience during and after pregnancy. According to a study, every fifth woman in western industrialized countries affects a perinatal mental illness (PPE) in this sensitive phase lists the Bernische Fachhochschule . These diseases can have serious consequences for the mother-child relationship and child development.

social perception and support

Despite the high rate of mental illnesses during the perinal period, there is often a lack of adequate support and recognition. Fears of stigmatization and a missing systematic screening are just a few of the reasons that lead to only 1 to 3% of women affected in obstetrical care.

This case in Albstadt not only raises questions about the responsibility of the mother, but also for the social perception and support of women in such critical phases of life. Mental illnesses are to be taken seriously, and it is urgently needed better education and support systems to prevent future tragedies.