Rotterdam mother sentenced for attempting to take baby from hospital

A 29-year-old woman from Rotterdam has been sentenced by a court for attempting to take her newborn baby from the Sophia Children's Hospital (Erasmus MC) against legal orders.

The infant had been under the supervision of youth protection services due to concerns regarding the mother's behavior and substance use during pregnancy. Four days after the baby was born, the mother attempted to remove the child from the hospital, pulling medical tubes away from the infant's body.

Witnesses and court findings indicated that the mother moved the baby violently back and forth without supporting the head or neck, causing the infant's head to jerk uncontrollably and nearly strike hard objects. While the Public Prosecution Service sought acquittal on certain charges, the court found the woman guilty of attempted heavy assault and child abduction. She was sentenced to twenty days in prison—which she has already served during pre-trial detention—and one hundred hours of community service.