A Swiss couple has been released from prison after their teenage daughter confessed to fabricating accusations of sexual and physical abuse against them. The parents had served 599 days following their convictions in July 2021.
The Zurich court initially sentenced the stepfather to three years and the mother to 22 months, basing its decision on the then-14-year-old's claims, which it found to have a "high probability of credibility." This occurred despite her teachers informing the court of her history of lying and auditory hallucinations.
An appeal at the High Court in 2023 resulted in harsher sentences: 50 months for the stepfather for aggravated assault and child sexual abuse, and 47 months for the mother for aiding and abetting. The original conviction was based on detailed allegations, including physical violence and sexual assault by the stepfather. The daughter also claimed she wore multiple layers of clothing for protection.
Now 19, the daughter has since recanted her allegations, stating she lied because she "only wanted her freedom" and never intended to involve the police. The High Court has overturned the parents' convictions based on her confession. A preliminary investigation has corroborated the authenticity of her retraction and found no evidence of coercion.
The Zurich juvenile prosecutor's office has initiated a criminal investigation into the young woman for false accusation, obstruction of justice, and unlawful deprivation of liberty. The case has raised questions about how the teenager managed to deceive authorities. The false accusations had resulted in the placement of the daughter and her younger siblings into foster care.