# Controversy surrounding Polish Ombudsman for Children

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-surrounding-polish-ombudsman-for-children
> Updated: 2026-10-06T13:49:53.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Monika Horna-Cieślak, the Polish Ombudsman for Children, is facing intense political and legal scrutiny following a controversial intervention in Warsaw. The controversy stems from an incident where Horna-Cieślak witnessed a mother shouting at and grabbing children. Despite police and social workers finding no immediate grounds for separation, the children were placed in a care facility following a meeting between the Ombudsman and local police.

A Warsaw court subsequently ordered the return of the children to their parents, criticizing the Ombudsman’s actions as ‘grossly disproportionate’ and noting they could constitute ‘institutional violence.’ Judge Tomasz Bac indicated that the Ombudsman’s use of institutional pressure and direct communication with a judge risked undermining judicial independence by bypassing formal legal procedures. The court further noted that the discovery of two beers during a police search was insufficient justification for such drastic measures.

Parallel to the custody dispute, Horna-Cieślak’s professional history has come under fire. Reports revealed she held 16 contracts with the Institute of Justice (IWS) between 2016 and 2023 without a public competition, totaling approximately 224,000 PLN. Political groups including PiS, Konfederacja, and Rozwój Plus have called for her dismissal.

In October, agents from the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) searched Horna-Cieślak’s office in Warsaw. The search was ordered by the District Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin as part of an investigation into a criminal notification filed in late September. The investigation concerns potential abuse of power and false accusation related to the August child removal incident. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek stated that while the law must apply to everyone, he is approaching the situation with caution.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: CBA agents search Polish Children's Rights Commissioner's office

CBA agents searched the office of Poland's Children's Rights Commissioner, Monika Horna-Cieślak, amid an investigation into potential abuse of power following a controversial child removal case.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cba-agents-search-polish-childrens-rights-commissioners-office

### 2026-09-25: Polish Ombudsman faces scrutiny over child removal and past contracts

A Polish court ordered the return of two children to their parents after criticizing Ombudsman Monika Horna-Cieślak for disproportionate intervention and bypassing judicial procedures.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-ombudsman-faces-scrutiny-over-child-removal-and-past-contracts

### 2026-09-23: Monika Horna-Cieślak faces dismissal calls over child removal controversy

Polish Ombudsman Monika Horna-Cieślak faces dismissal motions and criticism after a controversial intervention led to the disproportionate removal of two children from their family against court advice.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ombudsman-for-children-faces-scrutiny-after-child-removal-incident

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Cite as: Controversy surrounding Polish Ombudsman for Children. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-surrounding-polish-ombudsman-for-children