A man sentenced to 14 years for
throwing acid at an ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend still has
rights as a father of a baby born to the couple and being
allowed to act as a parent could encourage redemption, Italy's
Institute for paternity studies said Wednesday.
"In this affair the paternal aspect is totally neglected,"
said the Isp, "but the lad has a father, who has asked for
recognition as such".
The institute weighed into discussion after Alexander
Boettcher was quoted as saying in a formal request deposited
with a Milan court by his defense lawyer that he wanted to see
his son.
Earlier his girlfriend Martina Levato had an "emotional
embrace" with her newborn son in the Mangiagalli clinic after a
juvenile court allowed them to meet for a limited time every
day.
Levato's baby with co-assailant Boettcher was taken away
from her after it was born at the weekend.
"The recognition of a child is a right guaranteed by the
Constitution (article 30), that can be excluded only in the name
of the interests of the minor and in precise cases," the
institute added.
"Many scholars recommend keeping parental duties separate
from social behaviour. They hold that one can be a criminal and
still be good parents."
"In the case of mothers who are prostitutes, not a crime but
certainly reproachable, for example, court sentences have
recognised the maternal suitability to bring up their children".
"The 'transition to parenthood' usually has a profound
impact on new parents. It is difficult to predict if it could
have a positive outcome in a couple responsible for a grave
attack on somebody. And it is difficult for an expert
examination to be certain in this regard".
Levato, formerly a student at Milan's private Bocconi
University, was convicted in June along with co-defendant
Boettcher, a 30-year-old real-estate broker, of throwing acid at
Pietro Barbini, 22, on Dec. 28.
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