What was meant to be an exciting European tour for a group of young travelers took a heartbreaking turn when an 18-year-old American student allegedly threw her newborn baby out of a hotel window in Paris.
The horrifying incident unfolded at an Ibis Styles hotel in the city’s 20th arrondissement, not far from the Place de la Nation.
Shock in the Streets of Paris
According to reports, the young woman had just given birth inside her hotel room when she allegedly hurled the infant from the second-floor window.
Passersby later discovered the newborn wrapped in a sheet on the street below.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly and rushed the baby to Robert Debré hospital in the 19th arrondissement, but doctors were unable to save the child.
The teenage mother, also in need of medical care after childbirth, was taken to the same hospital for treatment.
Authorities arrested her at the clinic and charged her with “child murder.”
Investigators Suspect Pregnancy Denial
French authorities believe the young woman may have been experiencing “pregnancy denial,” a psychological condition in which an individual is unaware of or unable to accept their pregnancy.
Officials stated that the birth was “unexpected” and occurred suddenly at the budget hotel.
Eyewitnesses recalled hearing screams before emergency services were called around 6 a.m.
The street outside the hotel remained closed for more than five hours as investigators worked at the scene.
Legal Proceedings Underway
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation had been opened for “homicide of a minor under 15.”
The young woman remains in custody while authorities continue gathering evidence to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, guests at the hotel and nearby residents were left stunned.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, by the afternoon, there were no police cordons or visible signs of the tragedy at the hotel.
Similar Cases Raise Disturbing Questions
This case echoes a similar incident in Germany last year, where a woman named Katarina Jovanovic was convicted of manslaughter after dropping her newborn from a 12-foot-high apartment window.
Prosecutors in that case argued that Jovanovic deliberately concealed her pregnancy because she feared a baby would interfere with her career.
She was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after admitting to the crime but claiming she had not realized she was pregnant.
The Investigation Continues
As authorities in Paris piece together what led to this tragic event, many questions remain unanswered.
Was this a case of psychological distress, or was there an intention behind the act?
Investigators will need to carefully examine the young woman’s state of mind and the circumstances surrounding the birth to determine the legal consequences she will face.