Palermo police are investigating the suspicious death of Maria, an 11-year-old girl with encephalitis-induced quadriplegia, who died after being rushed to Buccheri La Ferla Hospital by her mother and the mother’s partner. Despite resuscitation attempts, medical staff were unable to save the child.
The Palermo Mobile Squad has launched an inquiry, though the Prosecutor’s Office has preliminarily excluded homicide, classifying the case as “non-criminal acts.” An autopsy has been ordered to determine whether Maria’s death resulted from natural complications of her drug-resistant epilepsy and quadriplegia, or from accidental gasoline ingestion. Investigators noted the girl had gasoline-soaked clothing and neck marks, which they believe may stem from botched rescue efforts rather than violence.
Maria’s 31-year-old mother—who has four other minor children—and her partner were interrogated for over three hours. The partner was absent during the incident. The biological father, residing separately, was also questioned. According to family accounts, Maria fell ill suddenly. Authorities are exploring whether younger siblings may have accidentally given her gasoline, given her paralysis.
The family resided in a degraded area near Palermo Central Station. Pending autopsy results, juvenile prosecutors have transferred Maria’s siblings to a group home. Palermo’s 24-hour Social Emergency Service (PrInS) intervened urgently, coordinating with prosecutors to relocate all four children to protective care.
PrInS director Mimma Calabrò confirmed the service mobilized immediately to address the “social emergency,” facilitating multi-agency coordination. Police have seized the family’s single-story residence and a gasoline bottle found inside. The autopsy remains pivotal in establishing the definitive cause of death.