Charges Filed Against Parents in Death of 13-Year-Old
In Italy, the parents of a 13-year-old boy, who is accused of killing a woman by tossing a statuette from a building, are facing manslaughter charges, according to reports.
Prosecutors claim that the parents “should have supervised the boy” and that their negligence could have prevented the tragic death of tourist Chiara Giaconis in September 2024. This information was reported by an Italian news outlet.
Giaconis, a 30-year-old, was traversing Naples’ Spanish Quarter with her boyfriend, Livio Rousseau, on September 15 when a 4.4-pound onyx figurine struck her. She later succumbed to severe brain injuries in the hospital.
The boy involved, labeled by prosecutors as “problematic,” was acquitted by a juvenile court. However, focus has now shifted to his parents, as Italian law states that children under 14 cannot be held criminally liable.
The parents maintain that the statuette does not belong to them and strongly deny any misconduct, with their attorney asserting that there’s “no case to answer.”
A hearing is scheduled for June 26 to determine if the parents will be put on trial.
Giaconis, originally from Padua, was in Naples for her 30th birthday celebration when disturbing surveillance footage captured the moments leading to the incident.
As she walked slightly ahead of Rousseau, he called out her name, followed by an “Oh my God,” before seeking help.
Reportedly, fragments of the statuette were found at the scene.
According to LinkedIn, Giaconis joined Prada in October 2022, overseeing 15 stores across France, Monaco, and Belgium. Her prior experience includes roles at L’Oréal, Givenchy, and Christian Louboutin, as well as a stint as a sales assistant at Disneyland Paris in 2016.
The unsettling circumstances surrounding her death have sparked widespread concern across Italy.
“This is a profound sadness and a tragedy that touches us all,” stated Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi.
Padua’s Mayor, Sergio Giordani, characterized Giaconis’ death as “absurd and tragic.”
Juvenile prosecutors concluded their investigation eight months following Giaconis’ passing.
