Daily TeamThe tragic death of little Zuzia shook Poznań to its core. After nearly three years, the verdict is in, but the outcome leaves a bitter taste. The District Court of Poznań sentenced Rafał Z. to 25 years in prison for the murder of his 1.5-month-old daughter, while the child’s mother, shockingly, walked away with just 4 years for her role in the crime. Once again, it feels like the mother gets a better deal when it comes to parenthood—even in a case as horrific as this.
The incident unfolded on November 22, 2021, when the mother rushed to a neighbor’s door, claiming “something bad” was happening to Zuzia. The baby had supposedly choked on milk. But when the neighbor entered the apartment, she was greeted with a chilling scene.
“The baby was lying by the open window,” recounted Mrs. Paulina, the neighbor. “Rafał was sitting at the table, playing a game on his phone. The baby wasn’t breathing, her hands and legs were cold. He didn’t react at all.” While Paulina tried desperately to revive the baby, she had to call the ambulance herself after realizing the parents weren’t lifting a finger.
An autopsy would later reveal the horrible truth—Zuzia died from craniocerebral injuries, with a fractured occipital bone and hematomas confirming the brutal abuse. The investigation concluded that 31-year-old Rafał Z. couldn’t handle the infant’s crying and took his frustrations out on her, ultimately beating her to death.
In a courtroom on September 17, Rafał Z. was handed a 25-year sentence, but the real shock came with the punishment for the mother. Despite being charged with participation in the murder, she received a mere 4 years behind bars. The leniency raises eyebrows, as once again, it feels like mothers are given a pass even in cases where their responsibility is undeniable.
Both parents initially pleaded not guilty, but the evidence painted a grim picture of neglect, abuse, and a horrifying lack of care for an innocent life. Yet somehow, the mother’s role seemed to be minimized. It’s hard not to wonder: if the roles had been reversed, would the father have gotten off so lightly?
This tragic case serves as a chilling reminder of how unevenly justice can be served, especially when it comes to the role of mothers in such unspeakable acts.
