The indictment chamber announced their decision on Tuesday, officially accusing Michael Van Haute of infanticide. He will face trial at the Assize Court. On February 2, 2021, Van Haute kept his daughters-in-law, Néva and her 3-year-old sister, while their mother underwent surgery. While under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Van Haute beat Néva to death, causing multiple bruises on her body and resulting in a cerebral hemorrhage. The story caused great emotion in the Mons-Borinage region, with local bikers organizing a collection for Néva’s surviving sister. During the investigation, Van Haute gave conflicting versions of what happened and refused to participate in a re-enactment or appear before his judges.
The indictment chamber was to render its judgment last week. It was finally on Tuesday that the decision was made. Michael Van Haute is officially accused of infanticide and will be tried by the Assize Court.
As a reminder, on February 2, 2021, Mickael Van Haute keeps his daughters-in-law, Néva and his 3-year-old older sister, in the absence of his partner. The children’s mother was hospitalized for surgery. Aged only 22 months, Néva is beaten to death by Mickael, then alcoholic and under the influence of narcotics. The autopsy revealed that the girl had numerous bruises on her body. Neva did not survive a cerebral hemorrhage after several blows to her head.
Strong emotion
In the Mons-Borinage region, this story had caused great emotion. Bikers had then organized a collection for the big sister of Néva.
During the investigation, Mickael Van Haute gave several versions of what had happened to the little one and he disputed a voluntary act. He also refused to participate in the re-enactment and never appeared before his judges during the proceedings.
The decision made by the indictment chamber to try Michael Van Haute for infanticide has finally been rendered. This case has caused great emotional distress in the Mons-Borinage region where the tragic death of 22-month-old Neva occurred at the hands of her father-in-law while her mother was hospitalized for surgery. Despite Van Haute giving multiple versions of what happened and disputing a voluntary act, the autopsy revealed that Neva had numerous bruises on her body and did not survive a cerebral hemorrhage from several blows to her head. This heartbreaking case will now be tried by the Assize Court.