Prosecutors in Lubaczów have been investigating the death of a newborn during birth at the District Hospital since 28 October. The autopsy showed that the child was healthy and the pregnancy was full-term, but it did not establish the cause of death.
What prosecutors have established
As spokeswoman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemyśl, prosecutor Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz, explained, the proceedings concern suspected exposure of a 19-year-old patient and her child to direct danger of loss of life or serious bodily harm (Article 160 § 2 of the Criminal Code), as well as unintentional causing of the newborn’s death (Article 155 of the Criminal Code). Investigators are examining whether the actions or omissions of hospital staff could have led to the child’s death.
The autopsy was carried out in Lublin. According to the spokeswoman, it showed that the pregnancy was full-term and the baby was healthy. However, it did not allow the cause of death to be clearly determined, so additional tests are needed. Prosecutors have secured the patient’s medical records, the newborn’s body and biological material. The person who reported the suspected crime has been questioned, and further witnesses are currently being interviewed.
What will be examined
Prosecutors want to establish whether the diagnostic and treatment methods used by doctors at the District Hospital in Lubaczów were appropriate for the health condition of the mother and child during labour. They will also check whether the staff’s conduct was in line with current medical knowledge and practice.
At this stage of the investigation, it has not been determined whether a medical error occurred or who could potentially be responsible for the child’s death.
— prosecutor Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz, spokeswoman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemyśl, via PAP
The spokeswoman noted that if irregularities are found, prosecutors will determine who is responsible for them. So far, no one has been charged, and the investigation is being conducted by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lubaczów.
What comes next
The results of further tests ordered by prosecutors will determine the cause of death. Only on that basis, usually with the involvement of medical experts, will it be possible to assess whether negligence occurred. As of publication, we have not found a statement from the hospital management on this matter.
In August 2024, the hospital in Lubaczów temporarily suspended its obstetrics and gynaecology and neonatology wards due to staff shortages, as reported by the local portal zlubaczowa.pl. Nothing indicates that prosecutors are linking this case to that decision.
