Another family in woods near Arezzo, kids taken away

(ANSA) – ROME, DEC 2 – Italy has seen another case of a family living off the grid in woods and having their children taken away from them near Arezzo, after the well-publicised case of a British-Australian couple in Abruzzo.
The incident, reported by La Verità newspaper, involves a couple and their children, ages 4 and 8, who were taken away after a joint intervention by Carabinieri, social workers, and personnel sent by the Juvenile Court of Florence.
The youngest child, wearing pajamas and without shoes, was reportedly carried outside in the family's arms while screaming for help.
The intervention, documented by the family's video cameras, dates back to October 16th around 11:00 a.m., the newspaper reports.
About ten officers in riot gear entered the property after serving a court document on the parents.
Harald, an electronics expert originally from Bolzano, and Nadia, of Belarusian origin, claim they have had no news of their children for 47 days and are complaining that the intervention they consider disproportionate.
The couple, who reportedly belong to a "Living Man, Living Woman" group that rejects authority, had been living in an isolated house in the woods for some time and had chosen homeschooling for their children.
However, the removal order, signed by the Juvenile Court, notes irregularities in the homeschooling procedure and a failure to cooperate with social services in required health checks.
The mayor of Caprese Michelangelo, Marida Brogialdi, confirms that the case was already known to the municipal offices: "I am sorry for what happened. I was subjected to this situation. The operation was ordered by the Juvenile Court of Florence and coordinated with the Carabinieri and social services. I don't know the family personally; the father came to the town hall once, but he had a very distant attitude." Brogialdi points out that homeschooling is practiced in the area by several families, mostly foreigners, who live in farmhouses in the woods: "It's a widespread phenomenon, but these families regularly take annual exams. In this case, the two children were not enrolled in any homeschooling program and had never taken the required tests." The British-Australian couple living off-the-grid in Abruzzo who had had their children put into care have agreed to temporarily move into new accommodation offered rent-free to strengthen their bid to get their kids back.
Australian Catherine Birmingham and her British husband Nathan Trevallion had been raising the kids in a house without electricity or running water in woods near the town of Palmoli.
In October a court for minors in L'Aquila ruled that the couple's three children should go to a home and they are currently staying at one with their mother.
On Sunday Trevallion started to move into a farmhouse laid on by a local restaurateur, Armando Carusi, for the family to be able to stay at while their own home is renovated.
They are appealing against the decision to put the children into care.
The ruling has sparked criticism from the government, with Justice Minister Carlo Nordio calling it serious and ordering an inspection and Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini comparing it to a kidnapping.
photo: the house in the Abruzzo woods (ANSA).
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