A 45-year-old woman named Monika B. is facing serious charges after being accused of subjecting her minor daughter to seven years of physical and psychological abuse. The horrifying allegations detail a pattern of cruelty that began when the child was nearly three years old, with the abuse reportedly involving the application of a toxic substance to the child's face and neck, leading to severe skin damage and disfigurement.
According to the District Prosecutor's Office in Lublin, Monika B. allegedly inflicted these injuries between February 2017 and January 2024 in Sięciaszka Druga and other locations across Poland. The prosecution asserts that the toxic substance used caused irreversible tissue loss, including the loss of part of the child's right ear, resulting in permanent scarring and significant psychological trauma.
Prosecutor Jolanta Dębiec described the severity of the situation, stating, "The abuse involved applying a toxic liquid substance to the child's face and neck, causing redness, inflammation, scars, and irreversible tissue loss due to necrosis." The investigation into these allegations was initiated after medical professionals at the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin raised concerns about the child's health, noting that the clinical presentation did not correspond to any known medical conditions.
In a shocking twist, Monika B. reportedly presented the child's injuries as symptoms of an illness to healthcare providers and the guardianship court, which the prosecution argues constitutes additional cruelty. Fundraising campaigns were even conducted to cover the child's medical treatment, further complicating the already tragic narrative.
Experts from various medical fields were brought in to assess the situation. Their findings indicated that the injuries were not naturally occurring but rather the result of intentional harm. They noted that the geometric patterns of the skin lesions suggested deliberate exposure to a corrosive substance rather than a medical condition.
"The changes were traumatic and caused by human behavior," the experts concluded, emphasizing that the massive changes in the child's skin were localized to specific areas, further pointing to intentional harm.
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that the child did not exhibit any signs of intellectual disability, autism, or epilepsy—conditions that Monika B. had previously suggested. Following her arrest in February 2024, Monika B.'s parental rights were suspended, and the child was placed under the care of relatives. Remarkably, the child's health improved significantly after the separation, with no new skin changes reported and a return to normal cognitive development.
On April 23, 2025, the District Prosecutor's Office formally charged Monika B. with abuse, citing the particularly cruel nature of her actions. The indictment was sent to the District Court in Siedlce, where she faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
During police interrogations, Monika B. denied the allegations against her, claiming she was merely performing hygiene-related activities concerning her child's body. However, psychiatrists who evaluated her concluded that she exhibited personality disorders consistent with Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This condition involves caregivers intentionally inducing or fabricating symptoms of illness in those they care for to gain attention and sympathy.
"Monika B. shows personality disorders that involve deliberately inducing symptoms of illness in a child to elicit sympathy and attention," stated Dębiec. The implications of such a diagnosis are severe, both legally and psychologically, as it highlights a troubling pattern of behavior aimed at manipulating those around her.
Monika B. remains in custody as the legal proceedings unfold, with the case drawing significant public attention due to its disturbing nature and the implications for child welfare. The prosecution's case hinges on the evidence gathered by medical professionals and the testimony regarding the child's recovery after being removed from her mother's care.
The community is left grappling with the aftermath of these revelations, as the system that was supposed to protect the child failed in many ways. The child's recovery serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in recognizing signs of abuse and the need for intervention when there are concerns about a child's wellbeing.
As this case continues to develop, it raises critical questions about parental responsibility, the psychological complexities of abuse, and the systems in place to protect vulnerable children. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have lasting implications for all involved.
