Parents on Trial for Death of Teen with Eating Disorder in Germany

The 16-year-old, who suffered from severe malnutrition and mental health issues, died in 2022, with prosecutors alleging her parents failed to seek medical help despite her critical condition.

The trial of the parents of a 16-year-old girl who died in 2022 from suspected undernourishment has begun at the Schweinfurt District Court in Germany.
Prosecutors accuse the parents of neglect, claiming they did not seek medical assistance despite recognizing the life-threatening condition of their daughter, Pauline, who also had COVID-19 and a gastrointestinal infection at the time of her death.
The parents, charged with attempted manslaughter, neglect, and bodily harm, have expressed remorse, with both stating they underestimated the severity of her condition and believed she would recover.
Pauline, who struggled with an eating disorder and anxiety, reportedly resisted hospitalization, and her family had become increasingly isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experts highlight a significant rise in eating disorders among adolescent girls in Germany during the pandemic, exacerbated by social media pressures and unrealistic beauty standards.