A German-American couple has been arrested in Oviedo, northern Spain, after authorities discovered they had kept their three young children locked indoors for over three years due to extreme fears of COVID-19. The children—an older boy aged 10 and twin girls aged 8—were found on April 28, 2025, in a severely neglected state, having lived in near-total isolation since December 2021.
According to local reports, the children were not allowed to attend school, go outside, or interact with anyone beyond their immediate family. When police entered the apartment, they found the children wearing multiple face masks, underweight, and suffering from significant psychological distress. They had been living in unsanitary conditions with no access to sunlight, physical activity, or proper education.
The incident came to light after a concerned neighbor alerted authorities about the prolonged absence of the children from school and public life. Social services and police launched an investigation, which culminated in a raid on the family’s apartment. The parents, identified as Christian and Melissa Steffen, were arrested on the spot and are currently facing charges including domestic violence, child abandonment, and psychological abuse. They have been denied bail and remain in custody as investigations continue.
