The authorities in the Leningrad region have initiated a criminal case following the death of an orphaned child believed to have been poisoned with an unknown substance at a local orphanage. The case is being handled by the Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the area, with investigators outlining the early steps of the inquiry and the plan to determine the exact cause of death through forensic examination.
Preliminary information from officials indicates that the deceased, a teenager born in 2009, was discovered in a residence area associated with a center for orphans and children deprived of parental care in the Vsevolozhsk district of the Leningrad region. The discovery prompted a formal investigation into possible poisoning, with investigators stating that the precise cause will be clarified after the forensic findings are issued.
Initial reports suggested that the teenager may have died from exposure to an unidentified substance. Experts from the forensic service are expected to conduct toxicology tests and autopsy procedures to establish whether inhalation or another route of exposure contributed to the tragedy.
According to reports from TV channel 78, there were initial claims that gas entered the lungs in connection with the refueling of lighters. This aspect is being examined as part of the broader forensic and criminal analysis to determine if it played a role in the fatal outcome. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing that confirmation will depend on laboratory results and expert assessments.
Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available, with officials reiterating the commitment to transparency and a thorough, evidence-based inquiry. The case highlights the importance of safety measures in facilities housing children without parental care and the need for careful review of any hazardous materials or conditions that could pose risks to young residents. [attribution: TV channel 78]