The removal of three children from their British-Australian parents living in a woodland shack in Palmoli, Abruzzo, has sparked a fierce political backlash. It also prompted government intervention, as well as a wider debate on child protection and lifestyle freedoms.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has called the court’s decision “serious” and said his ministry will conduct a thorough review. According to Newsroom Italia, Nordio stated: “At this moment it is premature to make any procedural consideration. Certainly, we will carry out deep investigations.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also weighed in, holding talks with Nordio and reportedly considering sending inspectors from the Justice Ministry to examine the juvenile tribunal’s handling of the case. Meloni is said to be “alarmed” by the decision.
The move followed a ruling by the Juvenile Court in L’Aquila, led by Judge Cecilia Angrisano, which suspended both parents’ parental rights and placed the children under a temporary guardian. The court cited concerns over “serious harm” due to the family’s isolated lifestyle: the home lacked electricity and running water, the children did not attend school, and there was limited social contact.
Matteo Salvini, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport, compared the intervention to a “kidnapping.” He denounced the decision as “unworthy, worrying, and shameful” and pledged to go to Palmoli personally if needed. Salvini said, “I am deeply ashamed that the State intervenes in private education and personal choices of lifestyle.”
ANM defends court’s decision of removal of children
In response to the government criticism, the National Association of Magistrates (ANM) defended the court. The ANM stressed that the ruling was based on “technical evaluations and objective factors: safety, sanitary conditions, access to social life, compulsory education.” It warned against political exploitation of a case involving “sensitive values.”
The court-appointed special curator for the children, Marika Bolognese, told local media that the goal remains a “reunification” with their parents, when and if the critical concerns can be resolved.
Meanwhile, the family’s lawyer, Giovanni Angelucci, is already appealing the decision. He claims that the court’s description of the family’s homeschooling was false. In particular, he says that the children do have a validated school-equivalence certificate and that their educational arrangements comply with legal requirements.
Mayor of Palmoli, Giuseppe Masciulli, has also defended the family, saying that the issue is being followed with “concern and sympathy” by the local community.
