Children secretly lived in the woods for years, evading coronavirus in Italy, under the care of their father.
In a startling turn of events, Italian authorities have stepped in to protect two boys, aged 9 and 6, who were found living in an abandoned farmhouse deep in the woods near Turin, Italy. The boys' father, a 46-year-old Dutch man named Frederick, had kept them isolated for an undisclosed period due to his obsession with the coronavirus and fear of infection.
The boys, who were still in diapers at the time of discovery, were found to be completely isolated from the outside world. They had no schooling, medical care, or proper speech development, with their speech reflecting a primitive language[1]. The boys, however, reportedly enjoyed activities such as riding ponies and skiing during their isolation.
Frederick, who earns income by renting out properties in Germany and the Netherlands, claimed that the boys were happy during their isolation. He also asserted that they received education in English and Italian. However, the boys' schooling was neglected during their isolation, and it remains unclear if they received proper medical care.
The mother of the boys has not commented on the situation. Italian authorities are demanding that the children be taken from their father and placed in foster care, citing the boys' lack of proper care and development during their isolation.
The family had moved from Germany to Italy three years ago. The boys' isolation began shortly after the move, with Frederick hiding them due to his fear of COVID-19. The court in Turin has declared both parents unfit to care for the children, and they are now in protective custody.
[1] Source: Italian authorities' reports on the boys' condition.
- The boys' isolation, especially in the context of their lack of proper schooling, medical care, and speech development, highlights the significance of health-and-wellness, family-health, and mental-health in their upbringing.
- The boys' interest in activities like riding ponies and skiing indicates a need for a balanced approach to health-and-wellness and family-health, beyond just meeting basic needs.
- The general-news about the boys' condition serves as a stark reminder of the importance of parenting responsibilities, emphasizing the need for parents to prioritize their children's overall growth and development.
- The ongoing legal proceedings related to the custody of the boys also highlights the complexities of crime-and-justice, as the court has declared both parents unfit to care for their children due to negligence.
