Nicosia, Cyprus. A criminal investigator told the Nicosia district court that no protective measures were taken to safeguard 14-year-old Stylianos Constantinou despite years of warning signs before his death in 2019. The testimony came during proceedings examining potential failures by authorities ahead of the teenager’s suicide in September 2019.
Testimony on protective measures
Investigator Andreas Andreou responded “no” when asked by the prosecution whether any action had been taken to safeguard the minor.
Welfare records cited in investigation
Andreou told the court that material gathered during the investigation indicated social welfare services had been aware of multiple incidents concerning the child over several years but had not implemented necessary protective interventions.
Evidence presented to the court
The court heard that the case is largely based on internal welfare files submitted as evidence by the prosecution, including documentation relating to domestic violence and records from the child’s “early support” file.
Details recorded in files
Andreou said the investigation revolves around the entries in these files, which recorded incidents and observations made by welfare officers over time. According to his testimony, the files contained repeated references to domestic violence inflicted upon Stylianos and early indications of neglect dating back to his preschool years, including concerns about his appearance, hygiene and nutrition.
Social isolation and child’s statements
Andreou told the court the records depicted a socially isolated child with limited interaction with peers, who had been working from a young age and had at times expressed a desire to “have a different mother”.
What steps, if any, should authorities take when welfare records show repeated signs of violence and neglect involving a child?
