Nathan and Catherine, parents of the three children removed from the Juvenile Court of L’Aquila and placed in a protected structure, have decided to accept the proposal received from a restaurateur from Ortona, originally from Palmoli. The man made a newly renovated farmhouse located in a wooded area available to the family, on a free loan basis, allowing them to reunite and continue to live in the style they prefer.
The couple, known for their choice to lead a life immersed in nature, made it known that they had opted for this solution “for the sole purpose of resolving the health and hygiene critical issues identified by the authorities”, while maintaining their vision firmly. The house, described by the owner as completely independent and surrounded by greenery, has at least two large rooms, including a kitchen, a water well, a dry bathroom and spaces dedicated to animals. The father, after visiting the farmhouse, expressed strong appreciation for the structure.
The couple’s lawyers, Marco Femminella and Danila Solinas, have released a note in which they define this choice as “not a step backwards, but a step forward”, useful in allowing the family to return to living according to their principles and the desire for freedom. The lawyers also confirmed that they had lodged a complaint against the order which ordered the removal of the children.
In the previous days, Nathan and Catherine had sent a long letter explaining their position. They denied having rejected the aid offered by the Municipality of Palmoli and private individuals for temporary accommodation during the renovation of their house in the woods. They reclaimed their own educational philosophy, based on autonomy, direct contact with nature and open-mindedness. Furthermore, they revealed that they were able to fully understand the content of the ordinance only two days ago, thanks to a full translation into English, underlining how linguistic difficulties have affected relations with institutions and the management of official requests.
They raise their children in the woods, far from the “system”, and the Prosecutor’s Office intervenes: but what really is a happy childhood?
