Sweden's Supreme Court has decided not to hear the case of five-year-old John Walter, who drowned after escaping from an HVB home in Värmland in 2021. Falu municipality was cleared by the district court and court of appeal. The parents and Centrum för rättvisa will now take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Five-year-old John Walter was placed by Falu municipality's social services at the HVB home Platea in Värmland in 2021, despite prior criticism from the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) for safety deficiencies. Sources indicate the placement occurred in spring or summer, and two weeks later the boy escaped and was found drowned in Hagfors. The parents sued Falu municipality over the placement. The district court and court of appeal cleared the municipality, ruling that no breach of European Convention articles could be proven. Sweden's Supreme Court (HD) has now decided not to hear the case, ending proceedings in Swedish courts. Alexandra Loyd, deputy chief at Centrum för rättvisa representing the parents, calls it a tragedy: “A child has died in society's care and according to the courts no one can be held responsible.” She adds: “It is an incorrect assessment. It is clear that the municipality had the ultimate responsibility for John Walter.” John Walter's father, Hans-Erik Sjöholm, says: “John Walter is still without rights. I do not see it as any kind of closure.” Centrum för rättvisa and the parents plan to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
