Italian Court Orders Children Removed from Off‑Grid Family Home in Abruzzo

A court in L’Aquila has ordered three children be taken from a family living off the grid in a remote area of Abruzzo and placed in foster care after judges determined the living conditions posed risks to their welfare. Patrol cars removed the children and transported them to a church‑run facility; the mother remains at that site while the parents have only limited access, the family's lawyer said.

Living conditions and judicial findings

The court identified the parents as Nathan Trevallion, 51, a British former professional chef, and Catherine Birmingham, 45, an Australian life coach and former equestrian trainer. The children are an eight‑year‑old and six‑year‑old twins. The order said the building has not been declared habitable and described "housing hardship," limited social interaction, no fixed income, lack of indoor toilet facilities and that the children do not attend school.

"The order is based on the risk of violating the right to social life in consideration of the serious and harmful violations of the children’s rights to physical and mental integrity," the court wrote, calling for suspension of parental responsibility.

Family account and background

The family’s lawyer, Giovanni Angelucci, said the parents heat the home with fireplaces, use solar panels for lighting and charging devices, draw fresh water from a well to avoid microplastics and use an outdoor composting toilet. The family bought the property in 2021 and has promoted it as a place for retreats focused on nature, healing and organic vegan food.

Their living situation became widely known in September 2024 after all five family members were hospitalized following suspected poisoning from wild mushrooms gathered in the forest. After the hospitalizations, social services and law enforcement visited the home. According to the lawyer, officials recommended the children receive regular medical care and attend school, but the parents did not follow those recommendations.

Public reaction and next steps

The case, widely referred to in Italy as the "Bimbi nel Bosco" (kids in the woods), has captured national attention. Tens of thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for reunification of the family. The parents say the children are happy and well cared for; the family has said it will appeal the court’s decision.

Senior politicians have weighed in: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the removal as "alarming" and has discussed the case with the Justice Minister, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini criticized the intervention and said he planned to visit the property. The mayor of nearby Palmoli said he was shocked and suggested the situation might be resolved if the family agreed to practical steps such as reinstalling running water and engaging regularly with the local school to monitor the children's education.

The court order also raised concerns about the online publication of photographs of the children on the family's website; the judge said the images breached the children’s privacy and were posted to portray the home as more "normal" after the social services inquiry began.

The family plans to appeal. Authorities and the family have framed the dispute differently — the court emphasizes children's welfare and legal obligations, while the parents emphasize lifestyle choice and their children's wellbeing. The appeal will determine whether the children can be reunited with their parents or whether more long‑term protective measures will remain in place.