Plovdiv Court Examines Isolation Allegations in Infant Death Trial
Elena Stoencheva stopped visiting her relatives, deleted her social media profiles, and was allegedly barred by her partner from having an Instagram or Facebook account, her sister Petya Stoencheva testified before the Plovdiv District Court, 24chasa.bg reported. The testimony came during ongoing court proceedings regarding the February death of the couple’s two-month-old baby in the village of Zhelyazno, an incident that led to manslaughter charges against the infant’s father, Ivan Ivanov.
Testimony Details Years of Isolation and Alleged Control
Petya Stoencheva told the court that her sister's behavior changed dramatically after she began her relationship with Ivanov. According to her testimony, Elena Stoencheva claimed Ivanov did not permit her to maintain standard social media access, limiting her to a Viber account shared with another sibling. The witness recounted a 2020 visit to the family home where Ivanov allegedly denied her access to her sister, stating she was unrelated to them, before bringing Elena outside where she asked if she was being physically abused.
The court also heard from Lily Ivanova, the grandmother of the accused, who presented a contrasting picture of household dynamics. Living in the same residence as the couple, the grandmother stated that both parents eagerly awaited the baby’s birth on Christmas Day and actively shared caregiving duties, including bathing and dressing the infant.
Medical Response and Final Moments on February 26
The doctor stated that Ivanov called him in a state of panic, reporting that the baby had stopped breathing, turned pale, and displayed foam around its mouth. Because there was no time to wait for an ambulance or travel from Voyvodinovo to Zhelyazno, the physician provided telephone instructions to clear the airway and contacted Ivanov’s father to rush to the family residence.
According to the medical testimony, the parents reported leaving the baby to sleep alone for approximately an hour before discovering the infant with a sheet nearby and foam at the mouth. A subsequent forensic medical examination conducted by prosecutors determined that the two-month-old boy died from head trauma, rib injuries, and bruising on the face, leading to criminal charges against Ivanov.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Plovdiv Court Proceedings
What specific charges does Ivan Ivanov face regarding the infant’s death?
Ivanov faces criminal charges for the death of his two-month-old son, which prosecutors attribute to severe physical trauma including head injuries, broken ribs, and facial bruising based on forensic examinations.
When did the infant die, and how did authorities learn of the incident?
The two-month-old boy died on February 26, and relatives learned of the fatality on March 4 from a neighbor in the village of Zhelyazno after the initial medical findings emerged.
What did family witnesses report about the living conditions in the home?
While the grandmother of the accused testified that both parents joyfully cared for the newborn, the mother’s sister testified that Elena Stoencheva was heavily isolated, lacked independent communication devices, and was barred from family gatherings.
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