WILLEMSTAD – The parents of a seven-month-old baby who lost his eyesight due to severe eye injury remain in custody on suspicion of child abuse. Their detention has been extended, with the Court of Appeal citing the seriousness of the allegations.

The mother, who was briefly released last week, has since been rearrested. Both parents deny having harmed their child, but authorities say critical questions remain unanswered.

At the center of the case is the scar on the baby’s eye, which led to permanent loss of vision. The parents claim they do not know how the injury occurred. They insist that problems began after their child started attending daycare, while the daycare manager firmly denies any involvement.

The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is currently reviewing reports of bleeding in the baby’s brain. Doctors at Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) were unable to determine the exact cause, and investigators are also considering whether prescribed medication may have contributed to the damage.

Timeline of Events

According to the parents, the trouble began shortly after the baby started daycare. Staff asked them to pick up the child because he would not stop crying. When collected, the baby was vomiting persistently.

A doctor prescribed medication, but the dosage was too high for the child’s age. The baby’s condition worsened, prompting hospitalization at CMC. There, doctors found brain bleeding, bruises, and eye damage. The infant was urgently flown to Colombia for specialized treatment.

Colombian doctors, however, could not save the child’s eyesight, saying he had arrived too late for effective intervention. They also found abnormally low red blood cell levels, which can cause bruising even from minor contact.

Arrest Upon Return

Upon returning to Curaçao, the parents were arrested at the airport. Their child was placed in foster care. The parents continue to deny abuse but have been unable to explain the origin of the eye injury. They also argue that delays in the transfer to Colombia worsened the outcome.

Authorities are awaiting further clarification from CMC regarding the cause of the brain hemorrhage. Tests conducted so far have not provided conclusive answers.

On Tuesday, the father’s detention is expected to be extended by 60 days as the investigation continues.