Crime History: Kindertod im Keller - Warum lässt eine Mutter ihre Kinder verdursten?
Summary
This episode of Crime History examines the 1935 case of Charlotte Jünemann, who abandoned her three children in Berlin, leading to two deaths and severe neglect of the third. Hosts Florian Prokop and Jana Falkenstein explore the investigation led by female detective Friederike Wiking and the societal context of domestic abuse and welfare in Nazi Germany. The story covers Charlotte’s arrest, her shifting confessions, and her trial, featuring insights from criminal historian Regina Sturiko and a descendant of the victims.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The discovery of the starving children
Welcome to Crime History and episode overview
Charlotte Jünemann's background and abusive marriage
The discovery of the bodies and initial investigation
Social services, the NSV, and the threat of child removal
The Female Criminal Police (WKP) and their role
Witness testimonies and the search for Charlotte
Media frenzy and the myth of the 'Raven Mother'
Charlotte's new life with Karl Kluge and her return
Charlotte's confession and shifting narratives
Investigation into poisoning claims and forensic results
The trial, verdict, and execution of Charlotte Jünemann
Interview with Otto Jünemann's grandson
Listen ad-free on Castria