They hadn't stepped outside since 2021! Here's what we know about the children rescued from a COVID-19 house of horrors
Source: X/@CarmeliBarak
In Oviedo, Spain, a disturbing case has emerged involving three young boys—twins aged eight and their ten-year-old brother—who were reportedly confined inside their home for nearly four years. Spanish police rescued the children this week, marking their first time outdoors since December 2021.
Authorities say the children's parents, identified as Christian Steffen, 53, from Germany, and Melissa Ann Steffen, 48, originally from the United States, allegedly isolated their sons out of fear of COVID-19. Now under arrest, the couple could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
DW reported that when the children were brought into the garden after years inside, they hyperventilated, lay on the grass, and touched it with fascination. Further, one officer told El Mundo, 'They were scared... When we took them out of the house, into the garden, they saw a snail and went crazy.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Al Najaf: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun...
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Source: X/@CarmeliBarak
According to El Español, the parents had allegedly asked authorities in Germany for permission to homeschool their children after the pandemic began. When warned that social services would be notified, the family reportedly moved to Spain.
The house in the quiet Asturian neighborhood of Toleo was rented for four years. Inside, officers found appalling conditions: trash piled high, used tampons under the parents' bed, excrement from pets, and children sleeping in cribs while still wearing nappies. Photos revealed disturbing images of monsters drawn on the children's beds.
One officer described the children as 'dirty and completely disconnected from reality,' though they were not malnourished. A pediatric report noted severe constipation caused by restrictions on toilet use—children were only allowed to relieve themselves at scheduled times and otherwise wore diapers.
Source: X/@CarmeliBarak
During the police visit on April 14—coinciding with widespread power outages in Spain—officers noticed the father, barefoot and disheveled, refused immediate entry and insisted they wear masks. When they entered, the children were wearing three masks each. Investigators found large quantities of ADHD medication, including drugs containing THC, allegedly sourced from the black market. Officials say it's unclear whether the children were ever diagnosed with ADHD.
What is COVID Anxiety Syndrome?
COVID Anxiety Syndrome (CAS) is a psychological condition where individuals continue to experience heightened fear and anxiety related to COVID-19, even as the immediate threat diminishes. This syndrome is characterized by persistent behaviors such as compulsive symptom checking, avoidance of public places, and excessive cleaning. These actions are often driven by an overwhelming fear of infection, leading to significant disruptions in daily life.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi now in the line of fire - here's what happened and why it matters
It has been a tumultuous week for American politics, memory, and conscience. Another battle rages within the justice system. Pam Bondi , President Trump's Attorney General, has come under fire for what critics call serious ethical misconduct. The incident highlights broader tensions in Washington regarding justice, power, and political accountability. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now What exactly is Pam Bondi being accused of? In a 70-person ethics complaint submitted to the Florida Bar , US Attorney General Pam Bondi is charged with " serious professional misconduct ." Law professors, lawyers, and former chief justices of the Florida Supreme Court who lean liberal or moderate are among the signatories. They charged Bondi with misbehavior that "threatens the rule of law and the administration of justice,' as per a report by the Miami Herald. Live Events According to the Herald, the group's complaint claims that Bondi has violated her ethical obligations in her current position. Critics claim she is pressuring DOJ lawyers to act unethically. The complaint also claims that Bondi "sought to compel Department of Justice lawyers to violate their ethical obligations under the guise of 'zealous advocacy,'" as reported by the Herald. Why was the complaint dismissed so quickly? The petition was swiftly dismissed by the Florida Bar on jurisdictional grounds, but in Washington, one of the young punks who now work for the federal government, particularly at the Department of Justice (DOJ), sneered at it. In a statement given to the Miami Herald, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff for the Justice Department, stated that the Florida Bar has twice turned down performative attempts by these out-of-state attorneys to use the bar complaint procedure against AG Bondi. The signatories' lack of intelligence and independent thought will be the only outcome of this third futile attempt. ALSO READ: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just entered the Trump–Musk fight, and the Internet can't get enough Pam Bondi, a native of Florida, was the first female attorney general of the Sunshine State. According to the Florida Bar, "Pamela Jo Bondi" is a member "in Good Standing,' as per a report by The Hill. During her confirmation hearing a few months ago, Bondi was questioned by Democrats about her capacity to oppose Trump, who had repeatedly declared that he would come for his enemies and that he had the "absolute right" to do as he pleased with her department. FAQs Why is Pam Bondi facing criticism right now? She is accused by dozens of legal experts of pressuring DOJ lawyers to violate ethical standards, particularly in a contentious Feb. 5 memo encouraging aggressive tactics. Has the Florida Bar taken action against Bondi? No, it dismissed the complaint due to a lack of jurisdiction, though the criticism sparked a national debate.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Delhi Police arrest Ghaziabad man who threatened to kill CM Rekha Gupta
Delhi Police 's North West District Special Staff has arrested a man from Ghaziabad for allegedly threatening to kill Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta , officials said on Saturday. According to officials, the accused, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, first called to speak to his estranged wife, and later issued a threat to the Chief Minister. He is a law graduate and was reportedly upset after his wife left him. During the investigation, the man allegedly tried to mislead the police. Fake identity cards were also recovered from his possession. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Officials said that they were further interrogating him. Delhi Police launched a probe on June 6 after receiving an alert from Ghaziabad Police about the threat. Late on June 5, Ghaziabad Police had received a call from an unidentified individual threatening to kill the Delhi Chief Minister, they said. Live Events Ritesh Tripathi, ACP Ghaziabad, said, "On the night of June 5, 2025, the Ghaziabad Commissionerate's Kotwali police station received a call from an unknown person who threatened to kill the Chief Minister of Delhi. The Ghaziabad control room immediately informed the Delhi control room." "Delhi's local police force promptly responded and reached the spot. However, the caller could not be contacted thereafter," he added. The police were further looking into the matter.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: CM, DCM have 'blood on their hands', should quit: BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje
BJP leader and Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have "blood on their hands", as she held them directly responsible and demanded their resignation in connection with the June 4 stampede that killed 11 people. Demanding a probe by a sitting High Court judge for the truth to come out, she slammed the state government for suspending Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda and four other senior police officials over the incident. The Bengaluru North MP also questioned the Congress high command and party leader Rahul Gandhi's silence on the incident, and urged them to seek the CM and Deputy CM's resignation if they have "guts". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo "Is Karnataka Congress bankrupt of leaders other than Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar? Let the two face inquiry, make others CM and Deputy CM. Where are Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, who often come to the state for everything, hiding?" she asked. She further alleged that they are silent on the issue as the Karnataka Congress government is an ATM for the party's Delhi high command. The stampede occurred on June 4 evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium here, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident. Live Events "Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have blood on their hands. The parents who have lost their children are cursing. They (CM and DCM) are trying to wash the blood on their hands and wipe it on police officers. A person known as a tough cop, a good and honest officer, who came from a normal family and became Bengaluru's commissioner has been suspended," Karandlaje said. Speaking to reporters here, she said this is a dark spot on this government and the CM's image. "In the history of Bengaluru or any metropolitan city, we have not heard about officials being transferred for mistakes, but here because of the mistake of the CM and his deputy, the Commissioner has been suspended. You (CM, DCM) have committed the fault and you are blaming them (officials) for it. You are wiping the blood on your hands on them," she added. Questioning Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar as to why they thought about holding this celebration, the MP from Bengaluru North asked are they partners with RCB in any ways? If laurals were brought to the country or the state by an official national or state team, then holding celebrations is understandable, but they were never felicitated this way, she noted and said, "When a private franchise RCB won the match, you wanted to celebrate. The grand stairs of Vidhana Soudha were reserved for swearing-in or government ceremonies all these years. You used it for a private team." Is anyone in the government is planning to have a partnership with RCB or planning for franchise ownership, she sought to know, and further asked, "with these intentions, attempts were made to take publicity from RCB's win." Pointing out that the family of ministers and the CM had gathered there at the event at Vidhana Soudha, while the public was suffering, Shobha asked how the permission was given. Didn't the intelligence or police have information about the gathering of lakhs of people? "Stampede and death happened about 3:30-3:45 pm and the event began at 4 pm. The CM, DCM despite knowing deaths have happened, continued with the event. Siddaramaiah, you have celebrated RCB's victory standing on the dead bodies. There was a competition by those on stage along with their families to take photos with players. You did this despite having information about deaths.... You (DCM) went to the stadium and gave a kiss to the victory cup at the stadium," she alleged, adding that all of this happened on the dead bodies. She pointed out that the police had done their duty the entire night on June 3, till early next morning, as there were celebrations across the city following RCB victory. Demanding to know how two celebrations happened without government permission, she asked, "If permission was given by the government, then why are the police officials being suspended?" She also pointed out confusion about free tickets. With only three stadium gates being opened, a large crowd, and the government's carelessness, led to the stampede. Alleging that competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for publicity led to 11 deaths, the union minister highlighted posts on 'X' by the CM about the felicitation to RCB team in front of Vidhana Soudha. Further, asking how a magistrate can question the CM and DCM during the inquiry into the incident that has been ordered by the government, she further said, now you have ordered a probe by a one-man judicial commission, headed by retired Justice Michael D'Cunha. He is already probing Covid-19 illegalities. He hasn't given that report yet, why again him? "We have no opposition to him or any retired judge, but why only him? What's your intention? Coverup? Why not order a probe by a sitting High Court judge?" Questioning the actual number of injured, while alleging that the government may be trying for a "coverup", Karandlaje claimed that families of some injured are paying for the medical expenses, though the government has announced that it will bear the cost. She also asked as to why the government was protecting Karnataka State Cricket Association and its office bearers, and why were they not arrested when RCB and DNA event management officials were arrested?
