The authorities arrived at the home of a Dutch couple in ArbĂșcies (Girona) after their eldest daughter ran away and alerted a neighbor. The parents had raised their two children in isolation from the outside world, in a farmhouse with no internet connection or electronic devices, and without allowing them to leave the house to go to school or the doctor. The youngsters had had very little contact with people outside their family, as if they were living on a desert island.
The eldest daughter rebelled against her isolated life and sought help after escaping. The police took her statement and went to the house to investigate. The father attempted to deny the allegations and claimed that his daughter suffered from mental problems, but he was unable to provide documentation to back up his claims. The children also had no identity papers, health card, or family book. The youngsters had been raised without contact with the outside world and appeared not to exist officially.
Initially, the authorities opened an investigation, but the sons refused to press charges against their parents. However, they agreed to return home on the condition that they be allowed more freedom. The young people will have to make up for a lot of lost time and adapt to the outside world. They may not like the noise and confusion of modern society, but they might also enjoy the thrill the first few times. This case is an extreme example of overprotection and social isolation in parenting, which can have serious consequences for their social and emotional development.