Lucrezia Ciotti A serious case of alleged abuse has shaken the peaceful community of Mirano, where the former director of a asylum ended up at the center of an investigation for torture and violence against children. The very serious charges describe unacceptable and cruel behavior that have shocked local public opinion. The trial is now open and developments are expected that could lead to a severe sentence.
This episode reopens the debate on the safety and protection of minors in educational environments.
Torture asylum in Mirano: children locked in sleeping bags
Inside the nursery “Hopla Iuhu” of Mirano, as reported by The Voice of Venice, the exact opposite of a safe and protective place would have occurred: fears were fueled, nightmares created to intimidate children, and the little ones would have been victims of mistreatment.
The Trento Public Prosecutor's Office has recently added kidnapping to the already known accusation of mistreatment. The former manager, a 55-year-old woman from Padua identified as EBS, is accused of having locked some children inside mattress covers, limiting their movements. Testimonies collected during the hearings tell that the most agitated children were forced to remain in these narrow spaces until, exhausted, they fell asleep.
This case of alleged abuse has deeply shaken the local community, with the former director of the institute at the centre of a trial that could cost her a life sentence. three to fifteen years in prison.
Torture asylum in Mirano: children locked in sleeping bags, former director accused
The disputed episodes date back to the period between between the 2014 and the 2019, when the carabinieri, following a report, have installed cameras inside of of the asylum to ascertain the charges. Initially, the Venice prosecutor's office had requested the case be closed, but the strong opposition of the families involved led to the reopening of the investigation.
Seven current and former teachers reported having witnessed episodes of pulling, screaming and severe punishments. In the meantime, nine families have decided to join the proceedings as civil parties, assisted by lawyers Graziano Stocco from Mestre and Maurizio Paniz from Belluno.
Faced with the new charge, defense attorney Tommaso Politi has requested a postponement, granted for July 17, to evaluate the possibility of resorting to alternative rites. The defense maintains that the environment in the nursery was calm, relying on the depositions of some teachers and parents.
For the public prosecution, represented by magistrate Maria Colpani, the seriousness of the facts also constitutes the crime of kidnapping, a much more serious charge than the mistreatment initially contested.