Psychiatrist finds Block children 'massively traumatized' by New Year's Eve abduction

Expert assessment finds massive traumatization

A court-appointed child and adolescent psychiatrist has concluded that the two children of entrepreneur Christina Block suffered "massive traumatization" during their abduction on New Year's Eve 2023/2024, with effects persisting to the present day. The expert, Mareike Schüler-Springorum, presented her findings over four hearing days at the Hamburg Regional Court, evaluating medical, psychological, and school records as well as speaking with both children personally. According to a court spokesperson, the psychiatrist found that each child was traumatized by experiencing their own abduction, the abduction of their sibling, and the attack on their father with an unclear outcome on New Year's Eve 2023/2024. The court spokesperson emphasized that the legal classification and evaluation of the assessment remains with the criminal chamber.

The court has excluded the public from this portion of the trial to protect the children's interests, a measure in place since July 28. The 68th hearing day is scheduled for Friday, August 14, at 9:30 AM, when the seven defendants, their defense lawyers, and the prosecution may submit statements on the expert assessment. The public will remain excluded for that session, after which the trial is expected to resume publicly.

The abduction

The children, then aged 10 and 13, were living with their father Stephan Hensel in Denmark at the time of the abduction. On New Year's Eve 2023/2024, they were standing with their father at the harbor of their Danish residence watching fireworks when several masked men dragged them into a car. The father was restrained and beaten. The children were then forced to walk bound and gagged through a forest across the Danish border.

Christina Block (53), daughter of Block House steakhouse chain founder Eugen Block, is accused of hiring an Israeli security firm to abduct the children amid a long-running custody dispute with her ex-husband. She denies the charges, claiming the firm's employees acted independently and without her knowledge. The children were later returned.

Seven defendants and the trial

Six co-defendants face charges alongside Block, including her partner, former sports commentator Gerhard Delling (67), who is accused of aiding and abetting. Only one defendant, a 37-year-old from Israel, has admitted to the charges. The trial has been running since July 2025. Co-plaintiffs in the case include Hensel and the children themselves, who are represented by a lawyer. If the defendants are convicted, the consequences of the abduction for the children could influence sentencing, according to a court spokesperson.

Father's testimony

Stephan Hensel testified that the children suffered panic attacks after the abduction and were afraid to leave the house. After the children were returned, the family initially lived in a safe house. Despite security measures, the children experienced anxiety and nightmares. Danish authorities implemented protections similar to a witness protection program. Hensel and his Danish wife moved five times with their five children and changed schools twice.

“They are on guard that their mother will send someone after them who will harm them.”

Hensel made this statement on the 11th hearing day, September 22, 2025, when Schüler-Springorum first participated in the trial.