For three years, the woman has denied having used violence against the girl, and repeated it in the six-day trial in Vestfold district court. The court believes that the stepmother is guilty, and set the sentence at one year and three months’ imprisonment. In addition, the woman has been ordered to pay reparation compensation to the girl of NOK 150,000. Defense attorney Ole Petter Breistøl informs news that the verdict will be appealed. Responding to injuries In October 2021, the little girl was picked up by an ambulance after she fell over while swimming. The stepmother told the court that the girl was playing as normal in the bathtub, but that she suddenly fell backwards and lost consciousness. The woman’s defender, Ole Petter Breistøl. Photo: Tom Erik Haugland / news The ambulance worker who took care of the girl on the way to hospital reacted to several visible injuries. He suspected that the child was being abused and reported the matter to the police. The girl was quickly transferred to Oslo University Hospital. There, it was established that she had a fractured skull, bleeding under the dura mater, bleeding and swelling in the brain tissue, retinal hemorrhages on both eyes and a second-degree burn on one hand. Experts who explained themselves in court believe that the injuries cannot be caused by anything other than violence against the child. Only one episode The woman was initially accused of several cases of gross mistreatment of the stepdaughter. The public prosecutor nevertheless believes that the evidence that was presented in court is only sufficient for a conviction for one episode of violence. State attorney Andreas Christiansen Photo: Magnus Skatvedt Iversen / news The stepmother also told of another episode that happened while she was alone with the child. It happened when the girl had a small hiccup during the day on the same day she was admitted to hospital. According to the stepmother, the girl fell out of bed and landed on her head. A few days earlier, the girl fell down a flight of stairs when she was visiting her grandmother overnight. That same weekend, the father discovered a burn on one hand. There have been no witnesses to the stepmother being violent towards the girl. Non-permanent injury And the child’s father was charged with abuse. The case against him was dropped after two and a half years. He is no longer with the accused. The public prosecutor believes that the woman is responsible for the serious head injuries the girl had, but has not been able to prove that she was also behind the burn. The girl’s lawyer, Carina Wold. Photo: Magnus Skatvedt Iversen / news During the trial, he submitted a request for imprisonment for one year and three months for the woman. The stepmother’s defender believes there is no evidence that the woman has been violent towards the child. He therefore asked for her full acquittal. The girl is now approaching her fifth birthday. According to her assistance lawyer, Carina Wold, she is a cheerful and lively girl. Wold says that the girl has recovered completely and that there is nothing to indicate that she has sustained permanent injuries. Published 01.10.2024, at 08.32 Updated 01.10.2024, at 08.57
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