Boy, nine, and seven-year-old sister found in nappies and 'unable to speak' hidden living on remote farm - as father says 'I just wanted to protect them'
The siblings – a nine-year-old boy and his seven-year-old sister – were found during an emergency evacuation of a dilapidated property near Lauriano, outside Turin, Italy as floods threatened the isolated area.
But what rescuers stumbled upon left even seasoned officers stunned.
The children, believed to have been born in Germany before being brought to Italy, had never seen a doctor or set foot in a school.
They were filthy, frightened, and entirely unknown to local authorities – described by shocked Italian media as 'ghost children'.
Wearing nappies far beyond the usual age, the pair communicated only in a primitive language understood by no one but themselves.
When officers arrived, they found the property strewn with rotting furniture, rusting trampolines, and piles of rubbish.
The family had been living in squalor, with no apparent access to education or basic hygiene.
Their reclusive father, a 54-year-old Dutch sculptor, defended his decision to keep them hidden.
'I love my children. I just wanted to protect them,' he told Corriere Torino, claiming fears over infection – including Covid – had driven the family's isolation.
He insisted they had access to laptops, musical instruments, and even went skiing and horse riding – but authorities quickly realised the children could neither read nor write.
The children were immediately taken into care following an emergency order from the Turin Juvenile Court.
'There are facts that suggest that the minors are deprived of adequate assistance from their parents or relatives who are required to provide it,' the court ruled.
The children's mother, 38, and also Dutch, is believed to be homeless and reportedly showed little concern when officials removed her children, according to Dutch media.
Mayor Mara Baccolla said the case had rocked the small community.
'It is a very delicate matter,' she said. 'These children can finally find a balance and have access to a life worthy of the name.'
She described the father as 'very reserved' and unable to speak Italian.
Locals were left stunned – while some had noticed the farmhouse changing hands, no one had seen or heard signs of children inside.
The children are now being cared for by the state as foster arrangements are put in place.
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