15.04.2026 10:50
Emine Nilay Özkan, who was identified as the mother of a baby found dead in the trash 18 years ago in Kocaeli through DNA and fingerprint evidence, appeared before a judge for the first time. Özkan, who is being tried with a request for aggravated life imprisonment, said she does not remember the moment of the incident, stating, "I do not remember how the umbilical cord separated from my body. When I touched the baby, it was stiff." While the file is set to be reopened in 2025, the court postponed the hearing to address deficiencies.
Emine Nilay Özkan, whose identity as the mother of a newborn baby found dead in the trash 18 years ago in İzmit district of Kocaeli was determined through DNA and fingerprints, appeared before a judge for the first time. Özkan, who is being tried with a request for aggravated life imprisonment, made a notable defense.
REVEALED THROUGH DNA AND FINGERPRINTS
The baby girl found in the trash in Yahyakaptan Neighborhood in 2007 had been buried in a cemetery for the unclaimed. The autopsy report determined that the baby died from suffocation due to the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The case, which remained unsolved for years, was reopened in 2025.
In the investigations, the fingerprint at the scene matched that of Emine Nilay Özkan. Additionally, DNA analysis confirmed that Özkan was the baby's mother. Özkan, who was apprehended in Sakarya, was arrested in 2025.
"I HAD A MISCARRIAGE IN THE SINK" DEFENSE
In her statement at the police station, Özkan claimed that she was alone on the day of the incident, had consumed alcohol, and was unaware of her pregnancy. Stating that she thought she had a miscarriage in the sink after bleeding, Özkan said that she panicked and threw the baby in the trash, thinking it was not breathing.
NOTABLE STATEMENT IN COURT
Speaking at the first hearing, Özkan stated that she did not clearly remember the moment of the incident, saying, "I don't remember how the umbilical cord separated from my body. When I touched the baby, it was stiff." She also stated that the baby did not cry, which is why she hit its back.
WITNESSES: IT WASN'T APPARENT SHE WAS PREGNANT
Witnesses heard in court said that Özkan did not appear pregnant at that time. Her neighbor stated that she did not notice any physical change, while her aunt, with whom she lived, said there were no symptoms like nausea or cravings.
REQUEST FOR AGGRAVATED LIFE IMPRISONMENT
In the indictment prepared by the prosecution, it was requested that Özkan be tried for "intentional killing of a child" with a sentence of aggravated life imprisonment. The court panel postponed the hearing to a later date to address deficiencies.