Shocking new details emerged today (May 15, 2026) in the ongoing trial at the Mixed Jury Court of Heraklion concerning the alleged abuse of three-year-old Angel by his mother and stepfather. The hearing entered its fourth day with testimony from a 19-year-old neighbor who was the first to rush into the apartment after hearing distressing sounds — only to find the toddler unconscious on the couch.
‘I Found Him Unconscious on the Couch’
The young woman described the harrowing scene step by step. She testified that she had been sleeping when she heard repeated shouts: “Angel, wake up!” She went to check and discovered the boy lying motionless on the sofa. At that moment, the 45-year-old stepfather told her the child had fallen and hit his head on a small table — and claimed the mother was not present.
She said she immediately tried to rouse the boy, asking, “Angel, are you okay?” and gently shaking him. When he didn’t respond, she lifted his head to assess his condition. The stepfather attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but she intervened, explaining it wouldn’t work. She then performed CPR — 30 compressions — and recounted how the child briefly regained consciousness: his eyes opened, he cried out, and then lost consciousness again.
Blood, Bruises, and a Chilling Calm
When the mother arrived shortly afterward, the witness said she appeared stunned and unsure how to react. Meanwhile, the stepfather moved frantically around the apartment, shouting, “Bring clothes — we’re taking him to the hospital.” Emergency responders from EKAB arrived soon after and asked for a blanket because the boy was cold.
The witness added that the mother showed little visible emotion during this critical period. She also described seeing dried blood around the toddler’s nose and a large scratch on his back — details that underscore the severity of the injuries he sustained.
A Child Who Seemed Happy — Until That Morning
The witness explained she knew the family through friendship with the stepfather’s daughter and had met Angel on several occasions. Though she’d seen him playing in the neighborhood or at the park — often cheerful and greeting people with “Hi! How are you?” — she admitted hearing both adults scold him on occasion. Still, she stressed those incidents hadn’t raised red flags: the boy sometimes cried, but she interpreted it as typical toddler frustration — not signs of physical harm or systematic abuse.
This testimony adds further gravity to a case that has gripped Crete and drawn national attention. The trial continues.