Barcelona mother denies seeing abuse of six-week-old baby as court keeps father in prison for second time

Mother's second testimony

The mother of a six-week-old baby who suffered severe injuries in Barcelona appeared before the judge for a second time on 23 July 2026. Her declaration lasted more than two hours, during which she answered questions from all parties. She maintained that she never saw her partner mistreat the child and insisted she would have reported it immediately if she had.

If I had seen it, I would have reported it.

She acknowledged that the father handled the baby with "clumsiness and lack of affection" and described him as a "manazas" (clumsy). The mother, a nurse by profession, said she was still recovering from childbirth and spent many hours resting, leaving the father as the primary caregiver.

Medical evidence and injuries

The baby was born in early February 2026 and was admitted to the Vall d'Hebron Hospital intensive care unit on 16 March with a broken femur. Doctors also found fractures in five ribs, blows to the head, nose and genitals, and a large anal fissure. Medical staff from Vall d'Hebron testified that the injuries were traumatic, non-accidental, and the most serious they had seen in their careers.

The injuries were traumatic, non-accidental and suggestive of child abuse.

Before the hospitalisation, the baby had been taken to several medical centres: Hospital del Mar on 1 March, Sant Joan de Déu on 7 March, and the CAP Roger de Flor on 10 March. The mother claimed she told doctors about the baby's anal problems, but around ten medical witnesses stated she never mentioned that specific issue.

Father remains in prison

The Audiencia de Barcelona rejected the father's appeal for release on 23 July, the second time his request has been denied. The court cited "solid evidence" of ongoing abuse, charges of serious injury and sexual assault, and a risk of flight given the severity of the potential sentence. The father has been in provisional prison since his arrest on 16 March 2026. The mother was released in May 2026.

Internet searches and contradictions

Investigators extracted data from the mother's mobile phone showing searches made weeks before the arrest. She looked for information on anal fissures and other health conditions. She also wrote messages such as "my partner can't handle the baby," "my partner doesn't treat my baby well," and took a photograph of a bruise on the baby's cheek. The mother admitted the searches but said she was merely concerned about the baby's health. Judicial sources noted several contradictions in her testimony.

I wish they had told me.

She said this when asked why she did not alert authorities earlier, referring to the doctors she visited.

What happens next

The baby is now with a foster family. The mother's defence has requested a visitation regime, but the prosecution will oppose it. The investigation by the Mossos d'Esquadra continues, and further phone data is being analysed.