Mother given hospital order after killing six-year-old son with handsaw
A mother who killed her 6-year-old son in Swansea with a handsaw has been sentenced to a indefinite hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act of 1983.
Karolina Zurawska, 42, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Alexander Zurawski on the grounds of diminished responsibility, when she killed him at their home on Cwm Du Close in August last year.
Ms Zurawska was also sentenced for the attempted murder of her father, Krzysztof Siwy
Today, a court heard how Ms Zurawska attempted to stab her father on three separate occasions on the day she killed Alexander.
When Mr Siwy visited his daughter on the morning of Alexander's death, he described his daughter as mumbling and absent.
In a witness statement read to the court, Mr Siwy described how his daughter reached for a knife and told him, 'Dad, I must kill you' before slashing him in the neck.
Krzysztof Siwy managed to restrain his daughter but could not remove Alexander from the family home.
Despite calling family members in Poland to raise concerns about Ms Zurawska's behaviour, Mr Siwy failed to call the police.
At 8:30 pm on the 28th of August 2024, neighbours found Ms Zurawska kneeling beside Alexander with a handsaw at her side.
Witnesses described seeing Alexander lying in the hallway of his home, after screams were heard coming from the family home.
Paramedics worked to save Alexander, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Swansea Crown Court heard, Ms Zurawska was described as suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia, which substantially impacted her ability to understand what she was doing.
In an impact statement read to the court, Krzysztof Siwy said, "Why did this happen? I was able to defend myself, but I was unable to defend Alexander."
"I was unable to think logically and rationally. If I had called the police, this strategy would not have happened. I will have to carry this burden for the rest of my life. My life is no longer as it used to be."
"I love my daughter, and I do not blame her for what happened. I need to be able to support Karolina, but I don't know what the future holds for me."
Judge Paul Thomas QC said, "The often overused word of tragic does not begin to reflect the awfulness that happened that day to Alexander. Those who know you and your relationship with Alexander have described you as a doting, loving, caring mother."
"You are not a wicked mother, far from it - you are a mother whose mental state deteriorated over your care of Alexander. You did something to Alexander that would never have entered your mind had it not been for your mental state."
"I entirely agree with the three psychiatrists that this is a case that calls not for punishment but for ongoing lifelong medical help. Even if you do recover mentally, the burden of what happened will always be with you."
"I also have a duty to the wider public. I must ensure that you are only released back to society if and when there is no risk to anyone else, that day, of course, many never come."
"I can not end without mentioning Alexander. His brief life was one of bravery, battling health issues. It was a life filled with love given and received, and for those who knew him, he will never be forgotten, and they will never stop loving him."
In a statement released after his death Alexander's family described him as a "very kind child".
They said: "Alexander was always well-behaved and never naughty. He was very clever and very mature for his age. He had a great understanding of facts.
"Alexander was always helpful, always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning. Alexander spoke both English and Polish and would often correct his parents with their English if they got words wrong. He was amazing."
Alexander attended Whitestone Primary School. Headteacher Bethan Peterson said: "Alexander was an extremely loved and popular boy amongst his peers, staff and with all who knew him."He is sadly missed by us all. As a school we are working to create a sensory garden in his memory, that will provide a calming and reflective area that further promotes the well-being of our learners."
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