In 1994, five-year-old Silje Marie Redergård was found dead in a sledding hill in Trondheim. After a very short investigation, police held a press conference and declared that three boys aged four, five, and six were responsible for Silje's death. The boys were never formally charged or convicted.
In the documentary series 'Drapet i akebakken', experts concluded there is no technical evidence the boys were behind the crime and that they were subjected to illegal interrogations and pressure. The case was reopened, and the new investigation concluded the three boys should be 'considered innocent'. The Attorney General apologized to the boys for the investigation's severe weaknesses.
The boys were placed in foster homes after the case was referred to child welfare services. Trond Petter Gullteig was subjected to violence by adults in kindergarten after being labeled a perpetrator. Trondheim municipality has not wished to comment on this case.
Norwegian children have worse legal safeguards and a greater likelihood of experiencing miscarriages of justice than Norwegian adults, according to experts. There are no separate criminal procedural rules for children in Norway, which critics say contributes to these vulnerabilities.
Kenneth Hagen Brattetaule and Trond Petter Gullteig have sued the state for compensation. The state, via the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness, believes the claims are time-barred, arguing that too much time has passed since the events.
Jon Helgheim (Frp), chair of the justice committee in the Storting, believes it is unreasonable that the state does not clean up after its mistakes. He has criticized the state's handling of the case and called for greater accountability in such matters.