Public outrage continues to grow following a tragedy involving a family in Warsaw. Anger is mounting over the treatment of 22-year-old Magdalena, who was handcuffed and dressed in prison uniform during her baby’s funeral. Magdalena’s four-month-old son, Oskar, died shortly after being taken from her custody.
The case was highlighted in the “Interwencja” program on Polsat TV. The child passed away soon after he and his sister were placed into foster care following Magdalena’s arrest for serving a prison sentence.
What shocks the public isn’t just the child’s removal and subsequent death, but also the humiliation Magdalena faced at her child’s funeral. Despite serving a sentence for fraud, according to police, many argue she deserved empathy, especially during such a traumatic moment.
The Prison Service justified their actions, explaining that Magdalena was handcuffed in a specialized manner and brought in prison clothing to prevent her from blending into the mourners’ crowd. Authorities believed her partner, wanted by the police, might attend the funeral, raising fears of a potential escape.
Moreover, the incident became public knowledge only recently, a month after an investigation was initiated into Oskar’s death. Opposition politicians have openly condemned the handling of the case.
“This is a case we will not abandon,” stated PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński.
“Today, the public is shocked by both the death of an infant and the treatment of his mother during the funeral. Is this a result of applying the law according to the principle, ‘as we understand it’? Worse yet, it appears the matter was concealed from society for an entire month,” wrote Kaczyński, adding, “We will not leave this tragedy unaddressed.”
Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro criticized Ombudsman Adam Bodnar harshly, saying, “Adam Bodnar acts as if he has serious psychological issues with women. He ordered female ministry officials transported in handcuffs to the prosecutor’s office for months, and now the same treatment is inflicted on a mother attending her child’s funeral. These decisions are unlawful, irrational, and suggest a psychopathic urge to torment women. The authorities revel in humiliating citizens.”
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki referenced similar instances of harassment against women, stating, “All you are capable of is publicly shifting blame for humiliating a woman at her child’s funeral. You similarly harassed Anna, whom you isolated from her child for months, and you tormented the female ministry officials and Justyna. You raise your hands against women, while Georgian gangs and death dealers freely roam Polish streets.”
MP Michał Woś added, “Bodnar cried over handcuffs placed on the murderer of a 10-year-old girl. Today, along with Minister Ejchart, he’s responsible for handcuffing a mother at the funeral of her 4-month-old child. They’ve left the Prison Service in ruins,” demanding resignations from Bodnar and Maria Ejchart.
What does the prosecution say? Mysterious circumstances of the child’s death
Prosecutor Karolina Staros of the Warsaw-Praga Południe District Prosecutor’s Office explained that Magdalena was arrested to serve a prison sentence as mandated by the court. “Given her arrest, care had to be arranged for her two children, a three-year-old girl and a four-month-old boy,” said Staros. The children’s great-grandmother couldn’t care for them as she was already responsible for two other adults, and their father, wanted by police, refused to come home.
“This situation, coupled with the girl’s behavior during the police intervention, prompted authorities to place the children in experienced foster care,” the prosecutor stated.
On May 19, the four-month-old boy died. “The foster parent was trained in medical rescue. Upon noticing the child was unresponsive, he attempted resuscitation and called emergency services, but the child could not be revived,” said the prosecutor. An investigation into the unintended death was launched on May 20.
Initial autopsy results showed signs of respiratory-circulatory failure. No signs of physical trauma or aspiration of food were found. Further examinations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death. The prosecutor’s office, alongside the police, continues to investigate the incident.