Second hearing in the Sıla case: What happened in court? Mother's statements revealed

The second hearing regarding the death of 2-year-old Sıla Yeniçeri, who lost her life after being assaulted and sexually abused in the Malkara district of Tekirdağ, was held at the Tekirdağ 2nd High Criminal Court. Mother Bakiye Yeniçeri, who attended the hearing via the SEGBİS video conferencing system, stated in her defense, "I know she fell at the park. I definitely did not neglect my duty of care." The court panel adjourned the hearing until February 7.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

On August 2, Bakiye Yeniçeri took her daughter, Sıla Yeniçeri, to Malkara State Hospital due to bruises on her body. Her mother claimed the child had been dropped by neighbors. After the examination, Sıla was sent home. However, when she was taken to the hospital again on September 8, she was unconscious. Doctors noticed signs of assault and reported the situation to the police. Sıla, whose condition was critical, was transferred to Tekirdağ İsmail Fehmi Cumalıoğlu City Hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered a brain hemorrhage and bore signs of physical violence. DNA samples from Sıla, who passed away on October 7, were sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine.

5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED  

In the investigation into the incident, mother Bakiye Yeniçeri, her partner in a religious marriage Sanlı Ö. (58), their neighbor Kani A. (33), and the neighbor's children G.K. (15) and K.A. (14) were arrested. However, Kani A. was later released to be tried without arrest. Tekirdağ Bar Association President Egemen Gürcün confirmed through forensic reports that Sıla had been subjected to sexual abuse.

INDICTMENTS MERGED 

The Tekirdağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared 2 separate indictments. A total of 67 years in prison was requested for mother Bakiye Yeniçeri for the crimes of "causing death by negligent conduct," "concealing evidence of a crime," and "violation of family obligations." A prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months was requested for Sanlı Ö. for "failure to report a crime," and a total of 28 years and 6 months was requested for Kani A. for "child sexual abuse" and "deprivation of liberty." For the children dragged into crime, 66 years of imprisonment was requested for G.K., and 48 years, including aggravated life imprisonment, was requested for K.A.

According to the report from the Istanbul 1st Forensic Medicine Specialized Board, Sıla's death occurred as a result of internal bleeding due to blunt head trauma. Additionally, the expert report from Tekirdağ City Hospital included findings of sexual abuse. It was determined that the DNA samples taken from bite marks on Sıla's body belonged to K.A.

WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT?

During the hearing, a report stating that mother Bakiye Yeniçeri is of sound mind was read. In her defense, she said, "I know she fell at the park. I definitely did not neglect my duty of care." Melahat Ç., the grandmother of K.A. who was heard as a witness, was unable to provide coherent answers to questions, and it was recorded in the minutes that she "lacked the capacity for perception."

'WE TRUST IN JUSTICE'

Before the hearing, Sıla's aunt, Aslı Güler, stated, "I trust in our justice system. Sıla will sleep peacefully in her grave, and the defendants will receive the harshest sentences. Our pain is great, our family has been shattered. May those who brought us to this state receive the harshest punishment."

Following the defenses, the court adjourned the hearing to February 7.

News Source: 12punto