Authorities in Oviedo, northern Spain, have rescued three children who were reportedly confined in a home under shocking conditions for over two years.
Described by local media as a “house of horrors,” the residence was where twin eight-year-old boys and their ten-year-old sister lived in isolation, neglected and psychologically abused since 2021.
Spanish newspaper El Comercio reports that the siblings were taken from the home last week and are now in protective custody at a juvenile facility. Medical examinations are ongoing to assess their physical and mental health.
Their parents a 53-year-old German man and a 48-year-old American woman have been arrested and face multiple charges, including domestic abuse, child neglect, and persistent psychological mistreatment. Spanish outlet ABC confirms that both suspects have been remanded in custody without bail as investigations continue.
The case came to light on April 14, when a concerned neighbour reported that the children had not been seen at school or outside in years. Investigations revealed that no activity had been observed at the property since late 2021, around the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police first entered the house following a regional power outage. When they arrived, the mother reportedly warned officers to “be careful,” insisting her children were “very sick.” Instead, officers found a filthy environment littered with trash, discarded face masks, and containers of expired medication.
The children, who were found sleeping in cribs decorated with disturbing images of monsters and dolls, were in a state of severe emotional distress, according to investigators. One officer described their condition as “outrageous,” noting that while they were not malnourished, they were dirty, unkempt, and severely disconnected from the outside world.
“When we brought them outside for the first time—in the garden—they saw a snail and panicked. It was as if they had never seen nature before,” the officer told El Mundo.
Oviedo Police Chief Javier Lozano called the case one of the most distressing of his career.
“We have given the three children back their lives,” Lozano said at a press briefing. “We have dismantled the house of horrors.”
The incident has sparked renewed debate in Spain around child protection protocols and the importance of community vigilance.
