A case involving the sudden deaths of four children in Amaliada, in western Greece, with the most recent one occurring on Aug. 5 has shocked Greek society, as the deaths appear to be connected. Relatives are seeking answers and the head of the Patras Appeals Prosecutor’s Office has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The series of deaths began in 2021 when 21-year-old Irini was looking after her friend’s baby who reportedly developed breathing problems and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. In 2022, the woman’s 19 days old first-born child, died from interstitial pneumonia.
A year later, in 2023, her second child passed away at Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital, in Athens, with the official report attributing the cause of death to epileptic seizures. However, questions remain about whether anyone else was in the hospital room when the child passed away.
In 2024, another child died in Amaliada, while in the care of the same woman, with no clear cause of death identified.
Irini, now 24, voluntarily appeared at the Amaliada Security Department with her lawyer, to provide further testimony. She reportedly claimed that her friend’s 15-month-old baby, who died in Aug. 2024 while in her care, was alive when they arrived at the hospital. The baby’s mother has since filed a lawsuit, believing her child’s death resulted from medical malpractice.
Irini has maintained that she had no involvement in her children’s deaths, saying that she awaits the results of the histological and toxicological examination for the third child. “I am not involved. I want my children’s souls to be vindicated and the shadows that weigh on me to be lifted,” she said.
The women’s lawyer has requested that the appointment of independent experts, including a forensic doctor and pediatrician to review the medical tests.
Genetic testing conducted on Irini’s two children, revealed that there were no genetic abnormalities in the 19-day-old infant who died in 2022. As for the two-month-old baby, who died in 2023, further investigation into the genetic results is required.
A new aspect of the case was brought to light by the child protection organization “The Smile of the Child.” In 2015, Irini fled her family home, claiming the environment was abusive. Between 2017 and 2020, there were repeated reports, with one family member even contacting the organization directly, saying the child was in danger due to neglect and abuse.
