05.02.2025 12:50
In the second hearing of the case regarding the death of 2-year-old Sıla, who was found to have been beaten and sexually abused in Tekirdağ, her mother Behiye Yeniçeri made a defense statement. A report stating that Yeniçeri's mental health was intact was read during the hearing. Meanwhile, in the session where two indictments were combined, the penalties requested by the prosecutor for the perpetrators were also revealed.
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Bakiye Yeniçeri, who lives in the Malkara district, took her daughter Sıla Yeniçeri to Malkara State Hospital on August 2. Yeniçeri stated that her child, who had bruises on her body, was dropped by a neighbor and was injured. After being examined, Sıla Yeniçeri was later returned to her family and sent home. The family took Sıla Yeniçeri back to Malkara State Hospital on the evening of September 8. Doctors who examined Sıla Yeniçeri, who was in a faint state, reported the situation to the police upon seeing signs of assault and bruises. Sıla Yeniçeri, whose condition was critical, was transferred to Tekirdağ İsmail Fehmi Cumalıoğlu City Hospital. During her examination, it was determined that Sıla Yeniçeri had suffered a brain hemorrhage, and findings indicating that she had been subjected to physical violence were obtained, leading to her being taken into surgery. The hospital also sent DNA samples taken from Sıla Yeniçeri to the Tekirdağ Forensic Medicine Institution for examination.
5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
In the investigation, which was given a confidentiality order, Tekirdağ Police Department teams detained 5 suspects, including Bakiye Yeniçeri. In the investigation, Bakiye Yeniçeri, her partner Sanlı Ö. (58), her neighbor, and the father of the children, Kani A. (33), along with the children of the neighbor who left the baby, G.K. (15) and K.A. (14) were arrested. Tekirdağ Bar Association President Egemen Gürcün announced on September 11 that it was confirmed by forensic reports that Sıla Yeniçeri had been sexually abused. Sıla Yeniçeri, who was being treated in the pediatric intensive care unit of Tekirdağ İsmail Fehmi Cumalıoğlu City Hospital, lost her one-month battle for life on October 7. Kani A., one of the arrested defendants, was released in the following days to be tried without detention.
2 INDICTMENTS COMBINED
Completing its investigation into the incident, the Tekirdağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared two separate indictments for Bakiye Yeniçeri, Sanlı Ö., Kani A., G.K., and K.A. In the indictment, a total of 67 years of imprisonment was requested for mother Bakiye Yeniçeri for the crimes of 'intentional killing by negligent behavior', 'destroying, concealing, or altering evidence', and 'violation of obligations arising from family law'. For Sanlı Ö., 1 year and 6 months for 'failure to report a crime, concealment', and for Kani A., the father of the children, 28 years and 6 months for 'sexual abuse of a child' and 'deprivation of liberty' were requested. The indictment prepared for the children involved, G.K. and K.A., was sent to the Tekirdağ 3rd Heavy Criminal Court. In the indictment, a total of 66 years was requested for G.K. for 'qualified sexual abuse of a child' and 'deprivation of liberty', while for K.A., 48 years for 'qualified sexual abuse', 'deprivation of liberty', and aggravated life imprisonment for 'intentional killing' was requested. The two separate indictments were combined in the Tekirdağ 2nd Heavy Criminal Court.
SILA'S DEATH DUE TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
In the indictment, it was stated that in the forensic report prepared by the Istanbul 1st Forensic Medicine Specialization Board, it was reported that the baby's death occurred due to intracranial bleeding resulting from blunt head trauma, and it was noted that there was a causal link between her death and the blunt head trauma she suffered. In the expert report prepared at Tekirdağ City Hospital, it was stated that she had been sexually abused. It was expressed that there were bite marks on the baby's body, and the marks contained K.A.'s DNA profile.
'I DEFINITELY DID NOT NEGLECT MY CARE OBLIGATION'
The trial regarding the death of baby Sıla continued today with the second hearing at the Tekirdağ 2nd Heavy Criminal Court. The closed hearing was attended by the defendant Sanlı Ö., who is detained for 'obscenity' in another case, along with the non-detained defendant Kani A., party lawyers, a lawyer from the TBMM Research Commission, a lawyer from the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and an observer lawyer from the Tekirdağ Bar Association. Mother Bakiye Yeniçeri and the children involved in the crime, G.K. and K.A., were connected to the hearing via SEGBİS from the prisons where they are detained. During the hearing, a report was read stating that mother Bakiye Yeniçeri's mental health was intact. In her defense, mother Yeniçeri said, "I know she fell in the park. I definitely did not neglect my care obligation."
GRANDMOTHER COULD NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Melahat Ç., the grandmother of K.A., who was involved in the crime and lived in the same house, was connected to the hearing via SEGBİS as a witness. Melahat Ç. had difficulty understanding the questions asked by the court and could not provide healthy answers. After Melahat Ç. responded to the questions with "I don't know, I don't know," a record was made stating that she 'lacked the ability to comprehend the questions'. After their defenses, the court postponed the hearing to February 7.
'THEY SHOULD RECEIVE THE HEAVIEST PUNISHMENT'
Before the hearing, Sıla's aunt, Aslı Güler, made a statement to the press. Güler said, "Today the second hearing will be held, and I trust our justice. I know that Sıla will rest peacefully in her grave, and those inside will receive the heaviest punishments. Our pain is already enough for us, our hearts are already broken. I trust Turkish justice. I hope they receive the heaviest punishments from my Lord. We are at the point where words fail. You know we just lost my sister, our pain is very great, our family has been shattered. Those who brought us to this state should receive the heaviest punishment," she said.
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