Barcelona prosecutors have stepped up their case against the father of a six-week-old baby who suffered severe injuries, formally requesting an attempted-homicide charge. The request follows the discovery of new evidence by the Mossos d’Esquadra that, authorities say, points to a deliberate attempt to end the infant’s life. The allegations remain under investigation, and the father has not been convicted. He remains in provisional detention as proceedings continue before Barcelona’s court specializing in violence against children and adolescents.
The case began in March, when the baby was admitted to Vall d’Hebron Hospital with injuries investigators considered compatible with abuse, and both parents were arrested. The father has been in preventive custody since 20 March. The mother, identified in initial reports as a nurse at Vall d’Hebron, was provisionally released on 7 May after about a month and a half in detention. Her release did not end the investigation against her.
Prosecutors have opposed further requests to release the father, citing risks of flight and obstruction of justice. They argue that detention remains the only suitable measure and that the infant’s injuries posed a risk to life. The attempted-homicide theory is an additional proposed legal classification for the father; it does not replace the other allegations, including habitual mistreatment and sexual assault, as well as very serious injuries. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct could constitute attempted homicide, while the other offenses remain under investigation.
At a hearing on 1 October, the father denied abusing the baby and said he was not aware that he had caused harm. He reportedly suggested the injuries could have resulted from negligence or unintended conduct, while acknowledging that he had shaken the child once. His account differs from the prosecution’s position on the severity and cause of the injuries. His defense later renewed its request for provisional release.
The mother remains free on provisional release, subject to restrictions imposed by the Barcelona court. She is barred from approaching the child within 500 meters, communicating with the child or leaving Spain. She remains under investigation, and her defense has also sought to have the case against her dismissed.
The Generalitat’s child-protection authorities assumed guardianship of the baby after the hospital admission. The child was later reported to be recovering well while living with the emergency encourage family assigned after discharge. Decisions about longer-term care remain with the relevant Catalan social-services authorities, separately from the criminal proceedings.
The case has unfolded amid broader scrutiny of suspected abuse involving infants in Catalonia. A separately reported investigation concerned a baby treated at Barcelona’s Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in May 2026; that case is distinct from the Vall d’Hebron proceedings. In Barcelona, the criminal investigation and public child-protection measures continue in parallel.
Under Spanish law, the attempted-homicide allegation carries serious potential consequences. The prosecutors’ request reflects their assessment of the alleged risk to the infant, while the court will determine how the investigation proceeds. The case has drawn attention to safeguards for vulnerable children and the responsibilities of parents and caregivers.
