The British-Australian couple whose three children were removed from their off-grid home in Abruzzo have accepted an offer of a temporary home.
The development came after the children’s father, Nathan Trevallion, viewed a renovated farmhouse near Palmoli. Trevallion, a 51-year-old former UK chef, reportedly approved of the property and plans to move there soon with his wife, Catherine Birmingham.
The couple see the move as a necessary step towards reuniting with their children. The youngsters were taken into care on 20 November following a ruling by the juvenile court in L’Aquila. Their eight-year-old daughter and six-year-old twins are in a protected facility, with Birmingham granted limited access.
“A step forward”
Their lawyers said the decision would help the pair address hygiene and safety concerns raised by authorities. In a statement, they described the move as “a step forward” that would allow the family to continue living according to their beliefs.
They added that the couple had always acted in the best interests of their children. On Friday, the legal team filed an appeal against the court order that removed the children from the family home.
Details of the new accommodation
The temporary dwelling consists of two large rooms, a well, a composting toilet and animal sheds, according to local reports. The owner, restaurateur Armando Carusi, offered the property free of charge to support the family as they work towards meeting the required housing standards. He said he understood the family’s way of life, having grown up in similar conditions.
Background to the case
The family had been living in a remote farmhouse near Chieti. They relied on a well for water, a wood-burning stove and an outdoor composting bathroom. They kept animals and grew organic produce on their land, with electricity supplied by solar panels. They bought the property in 2021 and homeschooled their children.
Authorities raised concerns about sanitation and the impact of the off-grid lifestyle on the children’s development, accusing the parents of negligence. The couple strongly denied the claims, saying they wanted to “free themselves from the toxicity of modern life”.
The case has attracted intense media attention and triggered debate in Italy about alternative lifestyles. More than 153,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the family to be allowed to continue living in the wilderness.
