Stadskanaal Child Torture Trial: Suspects Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation as Related Online Extremist Released

The horrific child abuse case that shook the Groningen village of Stadskanaal took two procedural turns this week, as the main suspects were ordered to undergo forensic psychiatric observation, while a third man linked to the same violent online network was released under strict conditions.

For international residents in the Netherlands, the case offers a stark glimpse into how the Dutch justice system handles extreme abuse allegations — balancing victim protection, suspect rights, and the role of behavioral assessments in determining criminal responsibility.

The abuse: a year of torture

The 6-year-old girl was subjected to systematic abuse over approximately one year, according to the Public Prosecution Service (OM). She was tied up, locked in a dark basement, beaten, forced to eat her own vomit, and made to stand under cold showers. The maltreatment was so severe that she was hospitalised twice, and at one point placed in a medically induced coma. Source: NOS

The suspects are the child's mother, 34-year-old Liza van A., and her friend, 31-year-old Sharona B. They have been charged with poging tot doodslag (attempted murder), deprivation of liberty, and assault. Both women remain in pre-trial detention.

Court orders Pieter Baan Centre assessment

During the first procedural hearing on 27 August at the Groningen court, neither suspect appeared. The court ordered both women to undergo a behavioural assessment (pro Justitia report) at the Pieter Baan Centre (PBC), the national forensic psychiatric observation clinic, starting in mid-November. The assessment will examine each woman individually and crucially, their mutual interaction.

Defence lawyers confirmed the women have cooperated with investigators and have made admissions. Van A.'s lawyer indicated his client may have an intellectual disability and personality issues. The PBC experts are expected to help explain how the abuse escalated to such extremes. Source: NL Times

The OM has urged media not to name the victim and stressed that protecting the girl's interests remains the priority. Her current whereabouts and condition are not being disclosed, other than that she is safe and receiving care. Source: NOS

The investigation is massive: authorities are sifting through 33,000 pages of messages exchanged between the two women, some allegedly containing descriptions of the abuse. A boy who witnessed the acts was also identified, but it has not been determined whether he was physically abused himself. Source: NOS

Online group connection: release of Mert A.

In a related development, the District Court of Rotterdam on 3 September released 23-year-old Mert A. from Hoofddorp, who is linked to the same violent online network, known as '764' or 'the Com'. These international groups share extremely violent videos and are known for coercing self-harm and abuse.

A. allegedly forced girls to carve his username into their skin or write it in blood. Police found 1,635 images of sexual abuse of children aged 6 to 14, as well as bestiality material. Yet a psychologist and psychiatrist found no deficiencies, and despite strong objections from the probation service and the OM over reoffending risk, the court released A. with strict conditions: no social media, no contact with the Com, and no access to similar websites. Violation means immediate re-arrest. Source: NL Times

What this means for internationals

For expats living in the Netherlands, two takeaways stand out:

1. Dutch forensic psychiatry is integral to serious crime trials. The Pieter Baan Centre report will heavily influence whether the suspects are held fully responsible or deemed to have diminished responsibility — which affects sentencing and potential compulsory treatment.
2. Victim protection is paramount. Authorities actively shield the child's identity and location, even from the public hearings. This contrasts with some other legal systems where such details are more openly reported.
3. The link to online extremist groups shows cross-border dimensions. The '764' network operates internationally, and this case demonstrates Dutch police and courts are tracking such connections — though concerns remain about the effectiveness of release conditions.

The trial will resume after the PBC assessments are completed, likely in early 2027. The case continues to cause deep unrest in the small community of Parkwijk, where the abuse took place.