Court sentences adoptive father of deceased Czech boy to six months in prison

A Swedish court has found the adoptive father of a Czech boy, who died earlier this year, guilty of neglect and has sentenced him to six months in prison. Three-year old Erik, who was sent to the Swedish family in the town of Jonkoping last year, died of untreated pneumonia and blood poisoning. His body was covered with over 150 bruises and festering wounds.

His adoptive parents originally faced up to six years in prison on charges of psychological and physical abuse, resulting in death. The charges were reduced to neglect after an expert on infectious diseases testified that the wounds may also have been caused by a skin disease. The court is still awaiting the result of the adoptive mother's psychiatric assessment.