Cops were horrified to discover a brother and sister living off-grid on a family farm, with no contact with the outside world.
The siblings, aged nine and six, were discovered still wearing diapers and only able to communicate in their primitive language.
The children’s parents never registered them with health officials or schools, and local media referred to them as “ghost children” because their existence had been unknown for so many years.
The young children were described as “filthy” when shocked cops made the heartbreaking discovery in Lauriano, northern Italy.
According to local media reports from Monday, their 54-year-old sculptor father and 38-year-old mother are both Dutch nationals.
According to local media, their father claimed to be homeschooling them, despite the fact that neither of them could read or write.
He told Italian newspaper Corriere Torino, “I love my children, and I just wanted to protect them.”
The 54-year-old also reportedly stated that his decision to raise his children in what appears to be complete isolation was motivated by a fear of diseases such as Covid-19.
He also claimed that the brother and sister had “a lot of toys, each with their own laptop, many musical instruments, and good ski equipment”.
He even stated that they rode horses at a nearby riding school and visited restaurants and museums.
The children were reportedly born in Germany before being relocated to a town in Turin.
Harrowing images of the ramshackle farm show broken and abandoned furniture thrown outside, as well as derelict trampolines that had clearly been left to rot.
Rubbish was also found strewn throughout the garden.
The reclusive family was only discovered when cops arrived at their hillside farm to evacuate them following a flood warning.
The Turin Juvenile Court ordered the children’s immediate removal from their parents.
The court said in its decision: “There are facts that suggest that the minors are deprived of adequate assistance from their parents or relatives who are required to provide it.”
The children have been placed in state care while arrangements for foster care are being made.
During the removal process, concerns were raised about their mother, who is said to have shown little interest in her own children, according to NL Times.
She is believed to be homeless, according to the news website.
Local mayor Mara Baccolla stated, “It is a very delicate matter.
“These children can finally find a balance and have access to a life worthy of the name.”
She also reportedly mentioned meeting the father once, describing him as “very reserved” and unable to speak Italian.
Residents in the town near the farm have expressed their surprise at the children’s existence.
Despite the fact that the farmhouse had changed owners, no one had visited the property during that time.
It is unclear whether the parents will face further action.
A German couple has been arrested for alleged child abuse after police raided their home in Spain.
The police discovered three young boys at the Oviedo home, dubbed the “house of horrors,” who are believed to have lived there for four years since the pandemic began.
The eight-year-old twins and ten-year-old boy were discovered in appalling conditions, each wearing three face masks, forced to wear nappies, and sleep in caged beds.
The police said the house was littered with garbage and expired medications, as well as filthy pet excrement and a cat with a massive tumor.
The children were reportedly kept out of school and not allowed to leave the house.
The police discovered three young boys at the Oviedo home, dubbed the “house of horrors,” who are believed to have lived there for four years since the pandemic began.
The eight-year-old twins and ten-year-old boy were discovered in appalling conditions, each wearing three face masks, forced to wear nappies, and sleep in caged beds.
The police said the house was littered with garbage and expired medications, as well as filthy pet excrement and a cat with a massive tumor.
The children were reportedly kept out of school and not allowed to leave the house.
After several days of surveillance, cops realized that more than just the man they saw coming and going had to live there.
This was indicated by the movements that could be detected through the few open windows, as well as the boxes of food from the orders that the man brought into the house.
The kids were barefoot, wearing nappies, and still sleeping in cribs.
When they wanted to get them out of the building, they did not even have shoes in their size because they had not bought any in years.
According to the police, one of the children knelt on the grass and “touched it with amazement” after being freed.
