Camilla Jessen
Two Dutch siblings, aged 6 and 9, were found in severe neglect on a remote farm in Lauriano, Italy, after living in isolation for years.
Italian authorities have uncovered a troubling case of child neglect after two Dutch boys, aged 6 and 9, were found living in isolation on a remote farm in northern Italy.
The children, who wore diapers and were unable to speak, read, or write, had been kept hidden by their father for at least three years.
Discovered During Evacuation
The discovery took place in early April when Italian police arrived at the farm near Lauriano, in the Piedmont region, to deliver an evacuation order due to flooding.
There, officers found the children living in poor conditions on a property without running water or electricity.
The children, born in Germany, were not registered with any local or national authority and had never attended school or seen a doctor.
According to Digi24, Italian media began referring to them as “ghost children” because they had no official identity and their existence was unknown to neighbors or authorities.
Father Claims He Wanted to Protect Them
Their father, a 53-year-old Dutch national, told Corriere Torino that he chose to isolate the children to protect them from modern society and viruses, including COVID-19.
He designed the farm to be entirely self-sufficient, with no outside contact, electricity, or water supply.
“I love my children. I just wanted to protect them,” he said.
Italian media and The Brussels Times reported that the father was deeply concerned about viruses and believed in conspiracy theories, which influenced his decision to cut off contact with the outside world.
Children Taken Into State Care
Following their discovery, the Turin Juvenile Court ordered that the children be placed in the care of the state. Authorities are now working to assess their condition and provide necessary support.
Local residents said they were shocked by the news.
Although some had noticed new ownership of the farm, no one had visited the site or seen any signs of children.
Mayor Mara Baccolla of Lauriano described the situation as “very delicate” and confirmed that the father had built the farm specifically for complete isolation.
So far, no records have been found for the children’s mother, a 38-year-old woman, or for the boys themselves in any official database.
