In Bologna, Italy, two parents are being tried for aggravated mistreatment due to their negligence in failing to vaccinate or provide medical treatment for their daughter, who was born in Spain and diagnosed with HIV. The case has drawn attention for the shocking revelation that the mother hid her HIV-positive status and chose to deliver her child outside of a healthcare facility to avoid scrutiny regarding potential transmission and mandatory vaccinations.

The child's health suffered severely as a result of the parents' decision; she went unexamined by a pediatrician until July 2023, despite exhibiting symptoms such as persistent fever and cough. This delay in medical care not only led to a diagnosis of HIV but also resulted in the child being hospitalized at a critical stage, where she was found to be malnourished and presented with significant health risks. Today, at nine years old, the girl is in foster care with her mother, away from her father who is also implicated in the neglect.

The case raises urgent concerns about public health and parental responsibility, particularly in the context of the anti-vaccine movement. Authorities are highlighting the importance of vaccinations in protecting children's health, especially for those born to HIV-positive mothers. This trial could set a precedent in how similar cases of medical neglect related to vaccination and treatment are handled in Italy and beyond.