Son Who Killed Mother in The Hague Sent to Psychiatric Facility, Not Prison: What It Means

A 20-year-old man will not go to prison for the murder of his mother in The Hague. Instead, the District Court in The Hague has ordered Ridvan B. to undergo mandatory psychiatric treatment (TBS) after finding him fully legally unaccountable for his actions due to schizophrenia. The ruling, handed down on September 17, 2026, means B. will be treated in a secure psychiatric facility rather than serve a conventional jail sentence. For internationals living in the Netherlands, this case offers a stark look at how Dutch law handles crimes committed by people with severe mental illness — and what TBS actually means in practice.

The case dates back to April 2025, when B. strangled his 42-year-old mother in their home on Doctor C. Hofstede de Grootstraat in the Loosduinen district. According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), B. confessed to the killing after she threatened to evict him for refusing to attend school. He then stabbed her in the neck, hit her on the head with a pan, and set fire to a cardboard box in her bedroom. The woman was found severely injured on her bed and later died in hospital; the official cause of death was strangulation, not the fire. Source: NL Times

B. also targeted his older sister. After starting the fire, he helped his younger siblings escape, but then held the front door shut as his sister tried to flee, reportedly shouting “You must die” and “Let them just die.” Police arrested him shortly afterward near the basement storage units of the complex. Source: NL Times

Psychiatric experts from the Pieter Baan Center diagnosed B. with schizophrenia accompanied by psychosis and hallucinations. They concluded that he was fully legally unaccountable for his actions at the time of the crime, and warned that he faces a high risk of reoffending without proper treatment. The court agreed, ordering TBS (ter beschikkingstelling) — a Dutch measure for offenders with mental disorders who are not held criminally responsible. Source: NL Times

TBS is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. It means indefinite placement in a specialized psychiatric facility, with treatment aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending. Release is not automatic: it is decided by a court, based on progress reports and risk assessments. In B.'s case, the court also imposed a supervision measure that can keep him monitored after his treatment ends, a step prosecutors had requested. Source: NL Times

For expats, the case raises practical questions about how the Dutch justice system handles mental health. Unlike in some countries, where a mental disorder can lead to a prison sentence with psychiatric care on the side, Dutch law treats TBS as a fully separate measure. It is ordered only when the suspect is deemed to have committed the crime but cannot be held fully responsible due to a mental condition. The focus is on treatment and public safety, not punishment — a distinction that can be surprising for those unfamiliar with the system.

The case also comes amid broader scrutiny of online influences on violent behavior. In a separate case, prosecutors in Meerstad determined on September 18 that a 15-year-old girl who killed her parents acted alone, not under the influence of a sadistic online group called “The Com.” That investigation found no evidence linking the girl to the group, despite initial concerns. Source: NL Times

For now, Ridvan B. will be held in a TBS facility, where he will receive treatment for his schizophrenia. How long he stays depends on his progress — and on the court's ongoing assessment of whether he remains a danger. For residents of the Netherlands, the case is a reminder that the justice system here prioritizes care over retribution when mental illness is the root cause. For internationals, it's a window into how Dutch law balances accountability, public safety, and medical need.