Woman whose 3 young daughters died within span of 3 years in uncertain circumstances arrested

Greek police took in custody a 33-year-old woman in the western port city of Patras on Wednesday on a sole premeditated murder charge, more than two months after her eldest daughter, aged 9, died at a juvenile ICU — her third and last child to die under undetermined circumstances.

All three of the children passed away within a span of three years.

The woman was transported to Greek Police (EL.AS) headquarters in central Athens, where she will remain incarcerated until, at least, an arraignment.

Findings are expected to be revealed this week from a battery of toxicological and histological tests conducted over the past two months on blood and tissue samples coming of the last little girl.

According to the Mega report, a substance was found in little Georgina’s blood that was not part of the pharmaceuticals administered at the children’s hospital in Patras.

Earlier, medical examiner Charalambos Koutsis spoke live on a Mega current affairs program and referred to the drug ketamine, a short-acting intravenous anesthetic, which if administered in large doses, causes apnea and death.

“It is a substance that is found forensically and in toxicology tests, because in certain doses it can cause death,” he said.

According to Dr. Koutsis, ketamine is available in Greece as a veterinary preparation, but there may also be a hospital administration of the substance. He added that it is a substance that is not sold in pharmacies.

According to hospital records, the deceased girl was not administered the drug.

The woman will face a magistrate in Athens on Thursday morning.

Georgina’s death was preceded by those of her 6-month-old sister Iris in 2021 and of her 3.5-year-old sister Malina in 2019.

According to media reports, the full medical report on the suspected causes of death of all three children is expected on Thursday.