Just when we all thought Rapunzel, the fairy-tale heroine who was trapped in a tower by her stepmother, existed only in books, police reported to have rescued an eight-year old girl from her house in Attendorn, Germany.
Apparently, she has never gone outside for most of her life. She was last seen outside in 2015, when she was only 18 months old.
The girl, named Maria, who was rescued on September 23, was found to be in good health. There were no signs of physical abuse, and it seemed like she was able to eat her meals properly. The child was also able to communicate properly but had a hard time climbing stairs on her own or maintaining movement when placed on non-flat ground.
According to reports, the girl’s parents split up due to a cheating incident after she was born. Rosemarie, the girl’s mother, told the father that she will be leaving and taking their child with her to Italy. The man tried to keep in touch, but all his gifts and letters were returned unopened. Because of this, he became suspicious.
He also reported that he has seen Rosemarie in Attendorn, after she said that she’ll be moving to Italy. He reported this to the authorities and when they went to ask Maria’s grandparents about it, they said that the mother and daughter pair have already moved. Authorities were also denied entry to the residence.
However, when a relative visited the other relatives in Italy, where Maria and Rosemarie were supposed to be staying, they were told that they had never lived there. After the police finally acquired a search warrant, they found the child in the house in Attendorn.
Maria has been placed in foster care and is being given both medical and psychological care. It is also possible that she will be sent to live with her father, which he has agreed to.
Rosemarie and Maria’s grandparents are now faced with charges of illegal deprivation of liberty and abuse. Rosemarie might also be subject to psychiatric examination because of what she did.