Couple Arrested for Locking Children in Unsanitary Conditions in Oviedo
The local police in Oviedo have apprehended a couple for allegedly confining their three minor children—two 8-year-old twins and a 10-year-old boy—in their home under deplorable conditions for a duration of four years. The children were reportedly surrounded by waste and feces at their residence on the outskirts of Oviedo.
The arrested individuals, a German man and a woman with dual German and American nationality, provided statements to authorities on Tuesday with the assistance of a translator. They are currently in custody, awaiting a judicial appearance before the Civil Guard.
The three minors have been placed under the care of the Department of Social Rights and Welfare and have been relocated to a youth center in Oviedo, where their circumstances are being evaluated. The government sources from the Principality of Asturias have confirmed this development.
The Minors Prosecutors Office has been informed regarding the reasons behind the parents' arrest. Reports indicate that the family had been residing in a chalet-type house that had become a health hazard, with the children being kept indoors, absent from school, for four years.
The police investigation was initiated following a complaint from neighbors on April 10, raising concerns about a possible unusual situation in relation to the domicile and family dynamics. Subsequent inquiries uncovered an alarming scene: the house was littered with garbage and waste, and the three children were discovered inside the premises wearing masks and diapers. Additionally, the parents requested that police officers wear masks prior to entering their home, which raised further red flags during the investigation.
Following the police actions in Oviedo, the couple has now been handed over to the Civil Guard of Asturias. Once the police procedures are concluded, they may be presented before a court in the approaching hours, while social services from the Principality are investigating the conditions in which the minors will remain. The situation underscores serious concerns regarding child welfare and the responsibilities of parents, indicating a need for immediate and decisive action from authorities.
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