Veronika Naumova, the guardian accused of murdering Daler Bobiev, has denied her guilt in court, only admitting to a charge of fraud. During her testimony in the Sverdlovsk Regional Court, Naumova presented her version of the events leading to the child’s death.

The trial features testimony from 55 witnesses, none of whom spoke in defense of Naumova or described her as a caring mother. Naumova, however, claims that the investigation is pressuring her and that the witnesses are providing false testimony, including Daler’s sister, Dasha, who stated that Naumova beat the boy. According to Dasha, Naumova intimidated her and prevented her from calling for medical assistance. Naumova alleges that Dasha was coerced into giving this testimony.

Naumova stated that on the day of Daler’s death, his sister, Dasha, was bathing him when he experienced a seizure, a condition she claims he had previously suffered. Naumova said Dasha placed him on a mattress on the floor, but did not provide first aid; instead, she monitored his breathing and pulse. After realizing he had died, she covered him with a blanket, sent the other children outside, and went to find a bag.

Naumova claims that she did not call an ambulance because she feared that her other children would be taken away from her. She denies torturing Daler, stating that he inflicted the burns on himself, and that squatting in the corner, as she had instructed him to do, was beneficial for his health.

Naumova insists that she had no malicious intent and had planned to return Daler to the orphanage on December 3, the day after she claims the incident occurred. The investigation, however, believes that the boy died on December 3, 2022.

The disappearance of Daler Bobiev was reported in June 2023, with claims that he had run away from home. His body was discovered on June 29, revealing that he had been murdered six months prior. Naumova faces 62 criminal charges, including allegations that she systematically beat, tortured, and tormented Daler, ultimately leading to his death by asphyxiation due to drowning.