"
I am responsible (...) I take responsibility for the facts
".
At his trial on Wednesday June 9 for the ordeal of Smaël, who died of hunger and beatings at 13 months, his mother recognized "
slaps
", "
throwing objects
" and a deprivation of care, assuring to have followed the educational rules from father.
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“
Before, I was stupid, a liar.
Now I assume because I am responsible for the death of Smaël.
I take responsibility for the facts.
I am going to fight for the memory of my son
”, declared the mother, Arlette, in front of the Assize Court of Marne.
“
I have family, personal problems.
I was at the end of the line
"answered questions from the president, this mother of another child, placed:"
Smaël often cried.
When he cried, I threw things at him, but not sharp objects.
I was annoyed.
I've had enough.
I slapped him.
I pulled her ears.
That's all
”.
Fifty acts of violence caused by electric wire
This 25-year-old Ivorian and her husband Oumar, a 37-year-old Frenchman born in Mauritania, are appearing until Friday for ordinary violence resulting in death without intention of giving it, non-denunciation of ill-treatment, deprivation of care and food and no assistance to a person in danger.
The child was discovered in a cardiopulmonary arrest in an apartment in Reims in October 2018, following a call from the parents.
Despite attempts at resuscitation, he died a few hours later.
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According to the investigation, Smaël "
had about fifty wounds caused by electric wire, was in a severe state of undernutrition and had brain damage
" which caused his death. The autopsy revealed in particular fractures in the humerus of the ribs and jaw. “
Smaël was tired all the time. I wasn't paying attention to him. I did not feed him
”
,
regretted Arlette, explaining to have sometimes“
lost patience
”when he cried, and describing a“
nervous
”
child
,
who“
had fits, got angry
”. But "
I don't remember grabbing him, twisting his arm.
(...) I don't remember shaking him to force him to eat,
”she said.
She finally explained that she had started beating her baby by following her companion's educational rules.
For his part, Oumar denies the facts since the start of the investigation.
“
I regret (...) but I did not see anything, do nothing.
I never typed,
”he assured on the first day of the trial on Monday.
