The aforementioned 60-year-old Jacek T. was charged that same day with physically and psychologically abusing a 13-year-old resident who was in a permanent relationship of dependence on him as his carer and was helpless due to his age and mental condition. On 21 November 2024, during four separate incidents, he allegedly struck the boy with an open hand and a fist, kicked him in the head and chest, pulled him by his clothing and dragged him across the floor, and humiliated him by ordering him to sit on the floor of a publicly accessible corridor. As a result, the victim attempted to take his own life by trying to hang himself in a shower room.

An ambulance was called for the 13-year-old, who was found after five minutes. He is currently in hospital in a medically induced coma. At present, it cannot be determined what health impairment the victim suffered as a result of the suicide attempt. The minor has been a resident of the aforementioned centre since April 2024. He was placed there by a decision of the Family Court in Świebodzin. The boy’s mother is deceased, and his father is serving a prison sentence.

The carer’s conduct was classified as meeting the elements of the offences under Article 207 § 1, Article 207 § 1a and Article 207 § 3 of the Polish Criminal Code: physical or psychological abuse of a person who is in a permanent or temporary relationship of dependence on the perpetrator or is helpless due to their age, mental or physical condition, resulting in the victim attempting to take their own life.
Such an offence carries a sentence of between 2 and 15 years’ imprisonment.

Jacek T. was questioned on 26 November 2024. He did not admit to committing the alleged offence and gave a statement. Its contents cannot be disclosed for the sake of the proceedings.

The prosecutor determined that, due to the risk of obstruction and the severe penalty facing the suspect, a custodial preventive measure was necessary. An application was therefore submitted to the District Court in Złotoryja for three months’ pre-trial detention.
Today, by noon, the District Court in Złotoryja will consider the detention application.

Liliana Łukasiewicz
press spokesperson
District Prosecutor’s Office in Legnica

illustrative photograph