Investigation of a infant death in Elche and related court proceedings
The case concerns Daniela, a seven month old girl who died in Elche last year on May 24. The autopsy revealed four skull fractures and multiple bruises that led to her death. The investigation notes there is no documentary evidence that the child was ever taken to a doctor, and prosecutors allege the injuries resulted from repeated blows by her stepfather and mother as a way to discipline the child. The indictment states that the couple will stand trial at the High Criminal Court within the coming days. A popular jury in Elche will determine whether both defendants or only one is guilty, in accordance with the charge brought by the biological father of the deceased infant. The defense argues that the ex-wife’s partner should face permanent prison for murder, while the case against him is to be cleared of that charge.
Prosecution arguments suggest there is no doubt both the 36-year-old mother and her 44-year-old partner are guilty. They seek combined penalties of up to 29 years for murder, treason, and two counts of ill treatment, one of which is described as habitual. They also seek 75,000 euros in damages. The ultimate charges could change after the verdict. The Supreme Court may consider permanent prison for the treacherous murder of a minor under 16 for similar cases.
The defense for the stepfather, represented by attorney Fernando Rocamora, requests acquittal and denies causing the blows that led to the infant’s death. The mother also denies being the author of the acts, and a public jury will decide on the guilt of the accused.
The accused couple has been in custody since May 28, 2021. They lived with Daniela and the mother’s two other children from a previous relationship in the La Hoya neighborhood. The mother, Maria Concepción, had been involved with Ginés S.A. for several months. The Public Ministry alleges the defendants showed poor educational skills and frequently resorted to blows to discipline the child. It asserts that they acted jointly or with knowledge and consent, delivering severe and repeated blows that caused injuries without seeking medical care, a pattern that continued despite clear harm. The authorities state the goal was to silence the violence to which Daniela was subjected.
The public accusation adds that Daniela endured ongoing abuse and that the serious blows described in the forensic autopsy were not promptly addressed. The prosecutor notes the defendants were aware of their actions and did not intervene to stop the attacks. On May 15, a scolding escalated into a harsh slapping at a workplace in La Hoya, with the mother present but not protecting her son. Nine days later, on May 24, they allegedly seized the child with force and administered particularly violent blows to the head. Daniela lost consciousness and died shortly after, despite being transported to Elche General Hospital. The prosecutor claims the stepfather used a hard object to strike and that the mother was not at home at the time, working in a shoe repair shop.
The case highlights a tragic sequence of events in which the infant did not receive timely medical care, and investigators allege that the defendants carried out a pattern of violence that culminated in Daniela’s death. The trial will assess the evidence and determine accountability for the injuries and the resulting fatal outcome. Attribution for the actions rests with the Public Ministry and the court seeking the appropriate verdict based on the presented facts.