A shocking case of child abuse has come to light in Spain, where three siblings were found living in a “house of horrors” after being locked indoors by their parents for almost four years. The children, aged 10 and 8-year-old twins, were discovered on April 28 in a filthy and cluttered home in Oviedo, Spain.
The parents, a German couple, had allegedly been keeping the children inside and enforcing strict COVID-19 rules, including wearing masks, despite the pandemic having ended. The discovery was made after a neighbor reported that the children had not been seen going to school, prompting police to investigate.
When officers entered the home, they found the children sleeping in cribs, surrounded by trash, medical supplies, and defaced toys. The mother, a 48-year-old German-American, was seen rushing to put masks on the children, claiming they were “very sick.” However, medical examinations later revealed that the children were not ill.
The children were found to be in a state of distress, having been deprived of normal childhood experiences and social interactions. When taken outside, they were fascinated by simple things like grass and a snail, indicating the extent of their isolation.
The parents have been arrested and are facing charges of domestic violence, psychological abuse, and child abandonment. The children are now being cared for in a juvenile center, and authorities are working to ensure their well-being and rehabilitation.
The case has sparked outrage and concern about the long-term effects of the pandemic on families and the need for support systems to prevent such incidents. The Oviedo Police Department has condemned the parents’ actions, describing the home as a “house of horrors” and expressing shock at the children’s condition.
