Parents of the three children in the woods: "A decision that broke our hearts", announce an appeal against the Juvenile Court

A decision that broke our hearts: Catherine and Nathan, the parents of the three children of the family in the woods, comment thus in a video in Italian on the decision of the Juvenile Court of L'Aquila in recent days which started the process for the gradual reunification of the minors with the family. The couple have announced their appeal against the provision, while their lawyer Simone Pillon denounces the "inertia" of social services in implementing the judges' provisions.

The Court's provision envisages a process in stages, with the gradual return to Palmoli and the monitoring of the social services, called to verify the reintegration of the minors. According to Pillon, several days after the decision was filed, however, the return program for the three children, who have been in the family home in Vasto since last November, has not yet been started, nor has a date been set for the meeting between the parties involved. The lawyer reports that he has asked for a meeting to address the practical aspects of the process and claims that the guardian, curator and doctors of the Child Neuropsychiatry of Atessa immediately made their availability, while the foster social service postponed. In the video, the parents recall that their three children have been separated from their family for ten months.

“They will have to go back and forth without a clear prospect for their future, remaining in a group home for who knows how long,” they say. "We remain convinced - they underline - of the urgency of bringing our precious children back to the safety, care and love of their family". The couple also express "deep concern" for the health and well-being of their children and claim that the doctors who follow them have indicated immediate return home as the only way to reduce the risks to their health. "All this was ignored," they accuse. Hence the decision to appeal, asking that "the health needs of the children and our and their right to home education be considered". The parents dispute the enrollment in public school, explaining that they have presented a detailed home education program, similar to that followed so far also in family homes. "We chose Italy - they say - for its freedoms and the rights that protect thousands of families" who have opted for parental education, reiterating the desire to continue to collaborate with the people and entities involved in the matter.