RIGA - Local governments need to more be more responsible in monitoring and assessing "family lifestyle risks" of their residents, Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers) said while commenting the tragic death of a two-year-old boy in Rezekne Region last weekend.
According to the minister's advisor Dace Gulbe, families that are considered social risk are usually well known to local social services, while the authorities are currently investigating the tragic death of the boy and clarifying the circumstances of what happened.
The Child Protection Center is currently in contact with the authorities in Rezekne Region and investigating the situation. A crisis intervention team from the Child Protection Center has also been set up and is ready to travel to Rezekne once the family members involved in the crisis agree to receive professional psychological help.
Augulis expresses his condolences to the family of the deceased boy and emphasizes the importance of the involvement of fellow citizens in preventing such incidents. "If there is even the slightest suspicion or concern about neglect of children or other family members, the relevant authorities must be promptly informed," said the minister.
As reported, Andrejs Kuznecovs, born in 2023, was found unconscious by the railway tracks in Rezekne Region's Lendzu County at 21:40 on February 1, but later died, representatives of the State Police informed LETA.
According to LETA, the State Police has detained two persons in connection with the child who went missing in Rezekne district and was later found dead. Criminal proceedings have been initiated and investigations are ongoing.
Silvija Strankale, head of the Rezekne Regional Social Service, refused to comment to LETA on whether the child's family had previously come to the attention of the service, as the child was not declared in the Rezekne region. The deceased child had been declared in Rezekne and had come to visit the municipality.
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