
The parents of a 13-year-old boy in Italy have been charged with manslaughter after their son allegedly caused the death of a tourist by throwing a heavy statue from a balcony.
The Naples prosecutor's office has requested that the couple stand trial, arguing that the tragic event that occurred on September 15, 2024, could have been prevented if they had exercised greater supervision over their child.
The victim, 30-year-old Chiara Jaconis, was hit in the head by an onyx statue weighing about 1.2 kilograms while she was walking down the street with her partner. Security camera footage shows the moment she falls to the ground as her partner calls for help.
The young woman was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent surgery, but died two days later as a result of severe head injuries.
According to police, the object was thrown from a third-floor balcony by a 13-year-old. However, he was found not guilty by a juvenile court, as under Italian law, children under the age of 14 are not criminally responsible.
Prosecutors now intend to hold the parents responsible, claiming that they did not exercise sufficient control and that the minor is suspected of having committed dangerous acts before.
On the other hand, the parents deny any responsibility, stating through their lawyers that they were unaware of the incident and that the thrown object did not belong to them. They have also appealed the decision for their son, requesting that he be declared innocent based on the facts and not just because of his age.
A preliminary hearing at the Court of Naples is scheduled for June 26, to decide whether the case will go to trial.