Johanna H. (41) acquitted of killing two babies Interior

The children were born in 2002 and 2004. The mother, Johanna H, put the bodies in a beauty case and a cookie tin and did not report to the police until 2014.

H. was acquitted by the court in Utrecht and later the court in Arnhem, because it was not possible to determine with certainty whether the children were dead or alive at birth. However, the Supreme Court referred the case back to the court in Den Bosch, because it had to be clear whether H.’s actions had resulted in the death of the children.

The children were born on the toilet and both had a considerable growth retardation, although they were almost full-grown. H. continued to smoke and drink vigorously during pregnancy and used drugs. As a result, the chances were considerably greater that the babies were born dead. The second child was also born in a breech position, which is certainly more dangerous without medical assistance.