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The parents of a 13-year-old boy in Naples, Italy, are facing manslaughter charges after their son allegedly killed a tourist by throwing a statue from a balcony. The incident occurred on September 15, 2024, when Chiara Jaconis, a 30-year-old tourist from Padua, was struck by a 4.4-pound statuette while walking with her boyfriend in the Spanish Quarters of Naples.
Chiara was celebrating her birthday when the statue, thrown from a third-floor balcony, hit her on the head. Despite emergency surgery, she died from traumatic brain injuries two days later. The tragic event was captured on CCTV, showing Chiara collapsing as her boyfriend, Livio, screamed for help.
Due to his age, the boy responsible cannot be held criminally liable under Italian law, which exempts children under 14 from prosecution. However, prosecutors are pursuing charges against his parents, arguing that they failed to supervise their son adequately. In addition, the boy reportedly had a history of throwing objects from the balcony, raising questions about parental responsibility.
The parents, aged 65 and 54, have denied any wrongdoing and claimed the statue did not belong to them. They have also appealed the court's decision to clear their son due to his age, insisting he should be acquitted based on the facts of the case.
The case has attracted widespread attention in Italy, sparking debates about parental responsibility and safety in densely populated urban areas. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26 to determine whether the case will go to trial.