Polish foster parents charged with murder of three-year-old girl

Prosecutors in the Polish city of Słupsk have completed an investigation into the death of a three-year-old girl in a foster family, concluding that the child was subjected to prolonged abuse and ultimately killed with particular cruelty.

Karolina and Arkadiusz G., a young married couple who served as foster parents in Słupsk County, have been formally charged with abusing the child, Róża, and causing her death. They are also accused of abusing an eight-year-old boy who was under their care, as per Polish media reports.

The incident occurred on May 9, 2025, when the three-year-old was brought to a hospital in Słupsk in critical condition. She had suffered extensive and deep burns covering nearly her entire body. Despite immediate medical intervention, she died shortly after arrival.

An autopsy found that the cause of death was burn shock resulting from severe burn disease. According to District Prosecutor Natalia Gawrych, the investigation determined that the fatal injuries were the result of sustained abuse, serious bodily harm, and a failure to provide timely assistance. Expert assessments in forensic medicine and burn treatment ruled out the possibility of an accident.

The accused have denied all charges and have remained in pre-trial detention since their arrest. If convicted, they face life imprisonment.

Investigators also uncovered evidence that the couple allegedly abused an eight-year-old boy in their care. In addition, prosecutors have opened a separate case concerning other children who had previously been placed with the couple in foster care.

The case has also prompted scrutiny of the foster care oversight system. Authorities in Słupsk County carried out an audit of the local County Family Support Centre, which identified serious deficiencies in the process of approving foster families.

The audit recommended stricter background checks, mandatory psychological evaluations, and more thorough assessments of living conditions. It also highlighted the need for increased caution when approving young candidates with limited life experience.

Following the audit, several personnel changes were made. The director of the centre and the head of foster care were dismissed, while the coordinator responsible for family foster care resigned.

Separately, prosecutors in Miastko have launched an investigation into whether employees of the County Family Support Centre failed to fulfil their duties. That inquiry remains ongoing.

By Tamilla Hasanova