Social media were the first to learn about the discovery of Kacper’s body, followed by newspaper, television and radio journalists. Maja Rutkowski, who was with the child’s mother, informed her about the tragic conclusion of the search. Information about the discovery of the boy’s body “leaked” without the police’s knowledge.
– I was with the mother at this saddest moment, when I informed her that the child’s body had been found – says Maja Rutkowski. – I would not wish anyone to experience such a moment. I am very sorry that Asia learned about the autopsy from the media, that no one called her or informed her – says the detective.
News about the discovery of the body appeared on social media in a group of people interested in the child’s disappearance. Other media outlets obtained information from this source. Asia, Kacper’s mother, knew nothing, while the closest family learned about the discovery of the child from the Internet and Krzysztof Rutkowski.
– We learned that they had found Kacper from the Internet, in the very same minute that Krzysztof Rutkowski called us – says Adam, a member of the immediate family. – The same happened with the autopsy. I do not know why the prosecutor’s office informs the media first, rather than the closest family? – Adam adds.
The spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in Jelenia Góra comments on the family’s understandable grievance.
– When the boy’s body was discovered in the river and preliminary identification procedures were being carried out, this information first had to reach the boy’s mother in an appropriate manner – explains Tomasz Czułowski. – Every effort was made to ensure that this information did not reach the public before the mother learned about it. I realize that the information had previously been shared in a group on a social networking site. I saw myself that the information was beginning to “spread” there. Until I received confirmation from the police that the boy’s mother knew the body had been found, we did not share such information anywhere – says the spokesperson.
The situation was different with information about the autopsy results. Mr. Adam went to the body identification in Bolesławiec together with the prosecutor.
– The autopsy was supposed to be carried out on Tuesday. It was performed on Monday, and no one informed us about this change – says Adam. – These are unthinkable things. As the closest family, we were waiting for the autopsy. On Saturday I went to identify the body and was told that the autopsy would take place on Tuesday. I went with the prosecutor and two men; they told me that the autopsy would be on Tuesday. They wrote down my details and telephone number, and I was supposed to be kept informed. On Monday my mother-in-law called me and asked whether it was possible that the autopsy had already taken place. I replied, based on the information I had, that it had not, and then she said that my sister-in-law had read on a website that the autopsy was already over. If you had not written about it, I do not know whether we would have found out at all, because Asia called the prosecutor’s office and raised the issue. Apparently someone was supposed to call her with the information, but could not get through. Asia says she has no messages or missed calls – Adam explains.
The spokesperson also comments on this incident.
– Regarding the results of yesterday’s autopsy, the deceased boy’s family had not been informed about them in advance, because it is not standard practice to inform parties about every finding in an investigation – informs Tomasz Czułowski. – Information about the discovery of the body is a different matter, because the mother, as the closest person, should learn about it in an appropriate manner. And we made every effort to ensure that this happened. The police and prosecutor’s office do not inform a party—in this case, the mother—about every individual finding in an investigation. The child’s mother has full access to information about the proceedings in this case; no information is being concealed from or withheld from the family. However, it is not the case that we officially inform them about every finding in the investigation. The family has the right to access the case files, the right to submit evidentiary motions and may be present during various procedural activities – the spokesperson explains.
The family is distressed. Nevertheless, it is also satisfied with the police search operation and the effort put into finding Kacper.
– We are grateful for the way the police searched for Kacper – says Adam. – For the number of people and equipment involved. But Krzysztof and Maja Rutkowski were with us. During the week before the Rutkowski Bureau arrived, the police had time to support us. But the police psychologist was there on Tuesday morning for about four hours and then left a phone number to call. Before Rutkowski arrived, a psychologist from the MOPS in Nowogrodziec contacted Asia. Probably only by telephone. It was Maja Rutkowski who was with us all the time – Adam adds.
In our opinion, in such a difficult and stressful situation, everyone has the right to make a mistake. However, the family of the child who died tragically could also have been treated with greater care. Beyond procedures and regulations. Humanely.