**Teenage Suicide Case Should Have Been Classified as High Risk, Court Hears**
In a court hearing on Tuesday, the tragic case of Stylianos Constantinou, a teenager who took his own life in September 2019, was discussed in detail, with a key witness asserting that the case should have been classified as high-risk by social welfare services. Andreas Andreou, a criminal investigator appointed to look into the circumstances surrounding the suicide, provided testimony that raised significant questions about the adequacy of the responses from social workers involved in the case.
The proceedings focused on the events leading up to Stylianos' death, particularly an incident in May 2019 when the 14-year-old attempted suicide, four months prior to his fatal act. Andreou emphasized that this attempt should have been viewed as a critical indicator of a serious underlying issue that warranted immediate intervention from social services.
During cross-examination by the defense attorneys representing social welfare employees, Andreou was asked whether he believed Stylianos’ case should have been designated as high-risk. He responded affirmatively, citing the May incident as a clear sign of distress. "It was a clear sign that a serious problem existed requiring immediate intervention," Andreou stated.
The court heard that the logs maintained by social workers at the time referred to "intent to commit suicide" rather than acknowledging the incident as an actual attempted suicide. Andreou contested this assessment, revealing that the investigation uncovered evidence indicating Stylianos had attempted to end his life using a shotgun belonging to his father. He noted that a thorough investigation by social welfare services would have revealed physical evidence, such as a bruise under the boy’s chin, where he had placed the shotgun. He described the circumstances of the attempt as a situation where Stylianos' life was "prevented at the last minute."
The defense attorney for one of the social workers suggested that the case exemplified a "failure of the system," to which the prosecutor objected, seeking clarification on what was meant by "system." The defense clarified that the term referred specifically to the operations within the social welfare services. Andreou concurred with this assessment, indicating a recognition of systemic shortcomings.
Further questioning from the defense attorney for another social worker brought up the issue of parental custody removal, which was described as a measure that should be considered only as a last resort. However, Andreou maintained that insufficient actions were taken to protect Stylianos, highlighting the need for more proactive measures in cases involving potential abuse or neglect.
In previous hearings, Andreou had cited statements from Stylianos himself, who had reported being physically abused by his father, claiming he was beaten with a belt and stating that his father would "beat him like a dog" at their family-owned farm. This testimony underscored the urgency of addressing the teenager's situation before it escalated to tragedy.
The trial, which seeks to determine the adequacy of the responses from social welfare services and the circumstances surrounding Stylianos' death, is set to continue on Wednesday. The proceedings have drawn attention to the challenges faced by social services in identifying and responding to high-risk cases, particularly those involving minors who may be experiencing abuse or neglect.
As the court examines the evidence and testimonies, the case raises important questions about the responsibilities of social workers and the systems in place to protect vulnerable individuals. The tragic outcome of Stylianos Constantinou's life serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for effective intervention and support for at-risk youth.