Castellammare dies after birth: Chief arrested, three suspended

Castellammare di Stabia – A complex investigation and a very serious criminal case are engulfing the Gynecology Department of the San Leonardo Hospital in Castellammare di Stabia. Today, officers from the Torre Annunziata Financial Police Group executed a precautionary measure order issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Oplonti Court, at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office, against four healthcare workers: three doctors and a midwife.

The crimes charged, to varying degrees, range from manslaughter in the healthcare sector (Articles 589 and 590-sexies of the Criminal Code) to material and ideological forgery in a public document (Articles 476 and 479 of the Criminal Code), up to fraud in criminal proceedings and obstruction of justice (Article 375 of the Criminal Code).

The acting head of the hospital was placed under house arrest. For the other three suspects—two doctors and a midwife in service at the time of the events—the judge imposed a double suspension from professional practice and public service for a period of 12 months.

The tragedy in the delivery room and the fatal complications

The measures stem from a comprehensive investigative effort conducted by the Guardia di Finanza's Judicial Police Section and the Castellammare di Stabia Police Company. The investigation was launched to shed light on the death of a newborn baby, which occurred at the end of March 2024, just over a month after birth, following very serious complications during delivery and subsequent immediate admission to intensive care.

According to investigators, the medical staff's actions not only caused the child's death through negligence, but also triggered a planned series of actions—beginning during the surgical procedure—to conceal any responsibility.

Forgeries, suppressed evidence, and the “false” knot in the cord

Investigative reconstructions outline a veritable deception plan. To make the tragedy appear unexpected and unpredictable, the suspects allegedly artificially tied a knot in the newborn's umbilical cord, simulating a natural disaster.

Subsequently, in violation of the hospital's standard clinical practices, they allegedly immediately disposed of the umbilical cord and placenta to prevent further investigations. The picture is completed by the falsification of the medical records—altered with reference to the hours of attendance and procedures performed—and by the prior agreement between the suspects to provide investigators with a mutually agreed-upon and convenient version of events.

The role of the head physician and the presumption of innocence

A central role in the chain of misdirection was allegedly played by the acting chief physician. Thanks to his influence within the department, he allegedly promoted and coordinated the tampering with evidence to protect his own position and that of the team.

Please note that the proceedings are currently in the preliminary investigation phase. The precautionary measures may be appealed before the Review Court and, pursuant to the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence, all suspects are presumed innocent until a final conviction is issued. Journalism and the rules on the presumption of innocence.