Three German children were rescued from a home in Oviedo, Spain, where they had been locked away for three years. This situation developed during the pandemic and resulted in the arrest of their parents for domestic violence and child abandonment.
The brothers, including a pair of eight-year-old twins and their 10-year-old sibling, had reportedly not left the house since the pandemic restrictions were lifted. Concerns arose when neighbors reported that the children were not attending school. The police learned that the family had rented the property since October 2021, but only the father’s name was on the lease. Locals claimed they hadn’t seen anyone leaving or entering the house since the end of 2021.
On April 28, when police approached the residence, the mother warned them to be cautious as her child was “very sick.” Inside, officers found a filthy environment cluttered with trash, drugs, masks, and other disturbing items. The children were reportedly sleeping in cribs decorated with images of monsters and dolls, which raised significant health concerns.
Police Chief Javier Lozano described the situation as “a home of terror,” noting the children’s condition was shocking—while they weren’t malnourished, they were clearly dirty and neglected. The children were taken to the National Human Rights Centre for medical evaluations and subsequently placed in the care of the Ministry of Human Services.
Both parents—identified as a 53-year-old German man and his 48-year-old American wife—are currently in custody, facing serious charges without option for bail. Police Chief Lozano mentioned the potential psychological effects of the prolonged lockdown during the pandemic, hinting at broader implications for families affected by such extreme isolation.
