Legal proceedings were ongoing: Mother and daughter fighting against a religious sect found dead!

The identities of the two bodies, a mother and daughter, found on the coast in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district have been determined. It was reported that the deceased were Fatma Nur Çelik, the mother of a child who allegedly suffered sexual abuse by an executive of the Kuran’a Hizmet Foundation five years ago, and her daughter, Hifa İkra Şengüler.

The incident occurred yesterday around 10:00 PM at the Kazlıçeşme Coast. Citizens fishing in the area noticed a child motionless in the sea and notified the police and medical teams. The child, who was pulled from the water by the teams, was determined to have passed away. About an hour later, another female body was found at the same location.

As a result of identification efforts, it was announced that the bodies recovered from the sea belonged to Fatma Nur Çelik (30) and her daughter Hifa İkra Şengüler (8). The bodies of the mother and daughter were taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute morgue following investigations at the scene.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WERE ONGOING

It was learned that Fatma Nur Çelik had been holding a vigil for justice while the legal process was ongoing in the case opened over allegations that an executive of the Kuran’a Hizmet Foundation had sexually abused her three-year-old daughter.

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF FAMILY:

A statement regarding the matter came from the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The statement said the following:

"Regarding the child who has been the subject of news for some time and who was allegedly abused by her biological father, a Health and Counseling Measure was implemented by the decision of the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Juvenile Court. Upon realizing that health check-ups were not being conducted regularly, necessary efforts were carried out to ensure the treatment process was not interrupted; however, positive responses to the guidance could not be obtained due to the mother's rejecting attitude during this process."

It was learned that the child was admitted to a private foundation hospital on 13.02.2026, and the treatment process was monitored. The medical board report stated that inpatient psychiatric treatment for the child might be necessary. Despite this, experts reported that the mother did not accept the recommended treatment and referrals.

"PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED, COULD NOT BE REACHED"

"Due to the child's health status being at risk, an emergency protection order was issued on 02.03.2026, and the matter was referred to judicial authorities. The address was visited on the same day, but no one could be reached. Upon a report received in the evening hours, information was obtained that the mother and child had lost their lives."

This tragic incident has deeply saddened us all. The matter is being investigated by judicial authorities.

On the other hand, throughout the process, it is irresponsible and untrue for some media outlets and non-governmental organizations to distort the process and portray our Ministry's initiatives to protect the mother and child as an 'effort to separate the mother from the child.'

It is unacceptable for steps taken in the best interest of the child to be presented in a way that creates a different perception in the public eye.

On the occasion of this sad event, we once again invite all media members and NGOs to act sensitively and meticulously in such matters in line with the guidance of the authorities."

The following statements were included in the statement made by the Association for Children and Women First:

"We have received the news of the death of our clients, mother Fatma Nur Çelik and her daughter Hifa İkra Şengüler, whose case we undertook in their struggle against abuse, with deep sadness today. Our clients could no longer endure the siege of reactionaries and the severe pain they were forced to live through. As the Association for Children and Women First, we promise that we will hold those responsible for every life we have lost to the fullest extent."

We have received the news of the death of our clients, mother Fatma Nur Çelik and her daughter Hifa İkra Şengüler, whose case we undertook in their struggle against abuse, with deep sadness today.

As the Association for Children and Women First, we promise that we will hold those responsible for every life we have lost... pic.twitter.com/egHEg1OUDi

— Association for Children and Women First (@oncecocukkadin) March 3, 2026

News Source: 12punto