This family in Spain has been living under extreme COVID restrictions since 2021. Here’s everything we know

Authorities in Oviedo, Spain, rescued three children who had been kept inside a home under extreme COVID restrictions for several years. The siblings were not allowed to leave or attend school.

Children Rescued

Three siblings, including 8-year-old twins and a 10-year-old child, were freed from their home in Oviedo. Police found that they had been locked inside since 2021. They were kept indoors by their parents under continued COVID safety rules. This happened long after official lockdown measures had ended in Spain.

Long-Term Indoor Living

Investigators said the children showed strong reactions when they stepped outside. They began breathing deeply and were amazed by the outdoors. Photos showed them wearing face masks. Police said the children were German and had never interacted with others in the neighborhood.


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Parents Arrested

The children’s parents, a 48-year-old German-American woman and a 53-year-old German man, were arrested. Authorities charged them with domestic violence and child abandonment. Police believe the parents were affected by "COVID syndrome," a term used to describe fear or anxiety about the virus that leads to extreme behavior.

Living Conditions Inside House

Neighbors told police that the children had not been seen or sent to school. This led to an investigation. When police entered the home, they found that the children were clean but had been isolated. They were not malnourished, but they were cut off from the outside world. Investigators said the children had no contact with nature or other people.

Reaction to Outside World

One officer said the children were shocked by simple things outside. They reacted strongly to touching grass and seeing a snail. Investigators said the children had never experienced these things before due to their isolation.

FAQs

Why were the children kept inside for so long?
The parents believed strict COVID rules were still needed and kept the children inside under continued fear of infection.

What legal action has been taken against the parents?
The parents have been arrested and charged with child abandonment and domestic violence by Spanish authorities.