The siblings, aged six and nine, were found in nappies and were not registered with a school or doctor – but their father insists they had a good life with ‘a lot of toys’, their own laptops and ‘good ski equipment’
A Dutch father has spoken out to defend his decision to raise his two young children in complete isolation, claiming he only wanted to “protect them” – despite Italian authorities describing their living conditions as severe neglect.
“I love my children. I just wanted to protect them,” the 53-year-old told local news outlet Corriere Torino, after the shocking discovery of his two children – aged six and nine – in a remote farmhouse near Lauriano, in northern Italy. He said the children had “a lot of toys, each their own laptop, many musical instruments, and good ski equipment,” adding they often rode horses at a local riding school and visited restaurants and museums.
But investigators paint a very different picture of the children’s upbringing.
READ MORE: Siblings, 9 and 6, found on farm in nappies speaking only in primitive language
When military police arrived at the property in April to issue an evacuation order during heavy flooding, they found the siblings – named Rayan and Noha – still in nappies, unable to read, write or even speak properly. Neither child was registered with any school or local authority, and were said to only be able to speak in their own primitive language.
Italian media have dubbed them “ghost children” as they remained invisible to both the state and the local community for years.
The juvenile court in Turin has since ruled both parents unfit and placed the children in protective custody. The father said fears of infection from viruses like Covid-19 had led him to keep the children isolated. He insisted they had a good life, mentioning visits to restaurants, museums and a local riding school, RTL reports.
But officials and locals say the children were effectively hidden from the world. The farmhouse, located near the small town of Chivasso, had been converted into a fully off-grid home, with independent power and water – making total seclusion possible.
The children’s 38-year-old mother, believed to be homeless, was described as detached and largely absent. Authorities say she showed little interest in the children and was often absent.
The case has stunned residents in the region. While some noticed the property had changed ownership, no one had ever seen children – or realised the scale of what was going on behind closed doors.
Lauriano’s mayor, Mara Baccolla, called it a “very delicate case,” saying she met the father once and found him “very reserved” and unable to speak Italian. She said: “It is a very delicate matter. These children can finally find a balance and have access to a life worthy of the name.”