A 44-year-old former care worker is set to receive a verdict today at Kolding District Court in Denmark after being charged with negligent manslaughter. The case stems from a tragic incident in January 2024 when a resident with intellectual disabilities died following severe burns sustained in an overheated spa bath at a residential care facility.
The verdict is expected to be delivered today following two days of hearings at the court. The case has drawn attention to safety protocols at assisted living facilities and the responsibilities of care workers when assisting vulnerable residents.
The Fatal Incident at Centervej
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of January 31, 2024, at the Centervej residential facility in Kolding. The 44-year-old employee, working as a care assistant for the resident, helped him into the facility’s spa bath as part of their regular Wednesday routine.
According to testimony given during the trial, the resident had used the spa bath every Wednesday as part of his structured weekly schedule. The care worker explained that people with developmental disabilities often need consistent routines, and spa time was an established part of this resident’s care plan.
On that particular morning, the accused went to the spa room alone to prepare the bath. He followed a laminated quick guide for the spa and checked that the thermostat was set to 38 degrees Celsius. However, he was unaware that the water temperature could rise higher than the thermostat setting.
Water Temperature Reaches Dangerous Levels
When the resident entered the spa bath, the water proved to be dangerously hot. The care worker testified that after guiding the resident to sit down in the water, which reached just above his navel, the resident immediately began screaming in an unusual way that signaled something was seriously wrong.
Reacting quickly, the care worker stuck his hand and forearm into the water and immediately realized it was far too hot. He got the resident out of the bath and called for help. The accused estimated the resident was in the water for between 30 and 45 seconds.
At that moment, the care worker could see the resident had turned bright pink from the navel down. When he later checked the spa’s digital display, it showed a temperature of 63 degrees Celsius, far exceeding the expected 38 degrees.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Two other staff members, a manager, and a nurse quickly arrived at the spa room. The manager called emergency services while the accused rinsed the resident with water from a shower to cool him down and tried to calm him.
The injured resident was airlifted by helicopter to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. The care worker accompanied him by car along with a colleague and stayed at the hospital for two days before being told there was little more they could do.
According to the prosecution, the autopsy report showed the resident had suffered second and third-degree burns covering approximately 60 percent of his body surface. Despite medical intervention, the resident died from his injuries on February 7, 2024, just over a week after the incident.
Technical Investigation Results
Following the incident, a technical inspection of the spa bath was conducted. The investigation found no mechanical faults or defects that could have caused the overheating. This finding directed focus toward human error rather than equipment malfunction.
The absence of technical problems emphasized the expectation that staff should manually verify water temperature before allowing residents to enter, particularly when caring for individuals who may not be able to assess danger themselves.
The Accused Care Worker’s Background
At the time of the incident, the 44-year-old man had been working at the facility and was described by a former manager as a well-liked and reliable employee. The manager testified that he was exceptionally stable when working with residents who required calm and consistent care.
The accused stated during his testimony that he knew the deceased resident very well. He claimed that other staff members would ask him for advice about the resident because he understood his micro-signals and needs so thoroughly.
The care worker continued working at the facility until November 2024, when Kolding Municipality decided to suspend him following the police charges. This delay between the incident and his suspension has raised questions about procedures following serious incidents at care facilities.
Prosecution and Defense Positions
The prosecution, led by special prosecutor Bettina Lauridsen Wagner from Southeast Jutland Police, argues that the care worker should be convicted of negligent manslaughter. They contend that his failure to properly verify the water temperature before allowing a vulnerable resident to enter constituted a serious breach of duty.
Meanwhile, the accused maintains his innocence. Through his defense attorney Glenn Verding Hein, he has pleaded not guilty and requested acquittal. The defense argues that the care worker followed established procedures and had no reason to believe the water could exceed the thermostat setting.
Broader Implications for Care Facilities
This case has highlighted concerns about safety protocols at residential facilities for people with disabilities. The incident raises questions about training, supervision, and the systems in place to prevent such tragedies.
For individuals with intellectual disabilities, the responsibility for safety rests heavily on care workers who must anticipate risks that residents may not be able to recognize themselves. This incident demonstrates how quickly a routine activity can turn fatal when proper safeguards are not in place.
The verdict expected today will determine whether the 44-year-old care worker is held criminally responsible for the resident’s death. Regardless of the outcome, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and proper safety checks in care settings where vulnerable individuals depend entirely on their caregivers.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Care Assistant on Trial After Deadly Spa Bath
The Danish Dream: Best Lawyer in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Beboer døde efter skoldning i spabad: I dag falder der dom i sag mod tidligere hjælper
