A British family living off the grid in Italy has had their three children removed by authorities following an incident involving poisonous mushrooms. Nathan Trevallion and his Australian wife, Catherine Birmingham, relocated to a cottage in the Abruzzo woods with their children in pursuit of a simpler lifestyle. The family’s situation drew attention when they all required hospital treatment after consuming toxic mushrooms they had foraged.
On Thursday afternoon, multiple police vehicles arrived at their home, resulting in the children being taken to a care facility. Authorities had determined that the children were not receiving formal education, as they neither attended school nor participated in tutoring, leading a judge to order their removal.
Nathan expressed his shock at the sudden intervention, stating, “It was quite a shock, very fast and unexpected. We have been targeted because we chose to live a different kind of life.” The family, who lived in a single bedroom and relied on a wood stove for heating, has defended their lifestyle, believing it provides their children with a better upbringing. Nathan remarked, “This is the best way to raise children. We are aiming for a more open-minded generation who can change the world for the better.”
Local residents have rallied in support of the family, with a petition garnering over 45,000 signatures in defense of their choices. Notably, Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, criticized the state’s involvement, calling it “shameful” that the family faced such actions for their lifestyle choices. The mayor of the local area has also shown solidarity, delivering olive oil and biscuits to the family.
Describing the moment of their children’s removal, Nathan recounted, “I was meeting the local mayor with my lawyer when we got a call from a social worker saying she was at the Carabinieri police station and we needed to get over there. There were ten officers ready to go and kidnap the children, to put it bluntly.” He explained that after negotiations, it was agreed that Catherine could accompany the children to the care facility, which Nathan described as an institution, starkly contrasting their peaceful home environment.
The children reportedly displayed confusion and fear during the ordeal, with Nathan expressing concern about their adjustment to life in a facility in Vasto. “There was a look of shock on the children’s faces. The place in Vasto is behind a fence, it’s an institution, very different from the peace they are used to,” he stated.
As the family navigates this unexpected and challenging situation, community support continues to grow, highlighting the complexities of parenting choices and governmental oversight in personal lifestyles.
