Latest news with #COVIDAnxietySyndrome
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
Children trapped inside for four years over COVID anxiety rescued by Spanish police
In Oviedo, a troubling case has come to light involving three young brothers—eight-year-old twins and their ten-year-old sibling—who were reportedly kept inside their home without stepping outside for almost four years. Spanish authorities rescued the boys this week, marking the first time they had been outdoors since December 2021. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Inside Operation Tupac: Pakistan's secret project to burn Kashmir Who is Asim Munir, the Zia-style general shaping Pakistan's faith-driven military revival 'Looking for partners, not preachers': India's strong message for EU amid LoC tensions The parents, identified as 53-year-old Christian Steffen from Germany and 48-year-old Melissa Ann Steffen from the United States, were arrested. Police allege the couple isolated their children due to an intense fear of COVID-19. If convicted, they could each face up to seven years in prison. According to DW, when the children were brought out into the garden, they were overwhelmed—hyperventilating, laying on the grass, and marveling at the sensation of touching it. One officer told El Mundo that the boys were frightened, and their reaction to seeing something as simple as a snail was one of astonishment. El Español reported that the couple had initially requested permission from German authorities to homeschool their children during the pandemic. When warned that social services might intervene, they allegedly relocated to Spain. For four years, the family lived in a rented home in Toleo, a quiet neighborhood in Asturias. Police described the interior as filthy and chaotic, with piles of garbage, pet waste, used sanitary products, and children still sleeping in cribs while wearing diapers. Images from the home showed unsettling monster drawings on the children's beds. Live Events Authorities said the boys were found dirty and severely socially withdrawn, though not undernourished. A medical evaluation revealed that they suffered from serious constipation due to strict toilet schedules; they were only allowed to relieve themselves at designated times and wore diapers at other times. Police visited the home on April 14, during a widespread power outage across Spain. The father appeared disheveled and barefoot, refused to let officers in at first, and insisted they wear face masks. Once inside, the children were found wearing three masks each. Investigators also discovered large amounts of ADHD medication and cannabis-derived drugs, reportedly obtained illegally. It remains unclear if the children had ever been officially diagnosed with ADHD. Understanding COVID Anxiety Syndrome (CAS) COVID Anxiety Syndrome is a mental health condition where people continue to experience intense fear and anxiety about COVID-19, even when the immediate threat has reduced. This syndrome often involves persistent behaviors such as repeatedly checking for symptoms, avoiding public places, and excessive cleaning—all fueled by a deep fear of infection. These compulsive actions can significantly disrupt everyday life. [TOI inputs]
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
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.
