On several occasions, Marina’s school teachers had alerted authorities to look
into a possible case of child abuse, but the girl protected her parents when
questioned in the presence of the father in one notable 2008 interview.
A jury was able to view a video of that questioning during the 11-day trial,
which included testimony from a psychological expert who said Marina had
become the object of her parents’ emotional troubles, and “absorbed the
couple’s conflict”.
Before the verdict was announced on Tuesday, Mrs Darras – who first abandoned
Marina when she was born, and then went back to claim her – told the court: “Marina,
I loved you until the day you left. I neglected, humiliated you to the point
of torture. And you loved us to the point of protecting us. I don’t deserve
any forgiveness, especially not yours, Marina.” The verdict is not
likely to be appealed.
At least two associations for the protection of children has filed an official
complaint to look into where local public children’s social services failed
Marina.
“This trial must lead to progress in the protection of children,”
said Vanina Padovani, a lawyer representing the “Blue Child”
association.
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