The Regional Court in Brno issued a verdict in the case of a man accused of repeatedly burning a five-month-old infant with a cigarette in the spring of 2024. The court concluded that the charge had not been proven and acquitted the man [1][2][3].*
Injuries discovered
Burns on the infant's feet were discovered by a relative who had taken the girl to an apartment to check on her. She found deep round wounds about one centimeter in diameter on the soles of the feet, which looked like marks from a cigarette or cigar and had not been treated [1][2]. According to the news website Novinky.cz, the child was saved from further abuse by her great-grandmother, who then took her home with her [3]. The infant was subsequently hospitalized and now lives in foster care [1][2].
Testimony and investigation
The infant's mother, charged with failing to provide assistance, testified in court that she had not bathed or changed the baby for several days and therefore believed the child merely had chafed legs [1][2]. She later stated that the injuries could have been caused by her partner, who was living with her at the time and occasionally looked after the child. The man denied the accusation [1][2][3]. According to the prosecution, no one else was present in the apartment at the relevant time who could have injured the child [1][2].
Even with the help of expert testimony, the court was unable to determine the exact moment of the burning, narrowing it down only to a two-day window [1][2]. According to the court, the presence of other persons in the apartment during that time could not be ruled out [1][2]. Judge David Beránek stated in his reasoning that the relationship between the defendants "was apparently complicated," as the mother had repeatedly thrown her partner out of the apartment and then taken him back, making it impossible to determine with certainty whether he was present at the relevant time [1][2][3].
Role of drugs and the verdict
According to the court, both defendants were using drugs at the time [1][2][3]. Experts found the infant's mother to be intellectually weaker, and the man had previously testified that he has a son of his own, who is cared for by the boy's father [3]. The mother admitted guilt in court to failing to provide assistance and received a two-year suspended sentence. She is required to undergo drug treatment, abstain from drug use, and be supervised by a probation officer [1][2][3]. The man waived his right to appeal, the child's legal guardian reserved the right to appeal, and the state prosecutor did not comment on the verdict in court [1][2].
Chronology
- — The Regional Court in Brno acquitted a man accused of burning a five-month-old child, finding it unproven that he caused the injuries. Deník: Jihomoravský kraj iDNES.cz
Sources
- Deník (brnensky.denik.cz) — 29 September 2026
- iDNES.cz — 29 September 2026
- Novinky.cz — 29 September 2026