Overview
- The L’Aquila Court of Appeal on December 19 rejected the parents’ challenge, so the three children stay in a Vasto group home with the mother allowed limited daily presence and the father granted visits three times a week.
- Judges cited ongoing risks to health and development tied to poor schooling, weak social ties and hygiene lapses, with reports noting low literacy and initial resistance to basic cleanliness.
- The ruling acknowledged appreciable steps by the parents, including medical consents, housing fixes and plans for tutoring, but found the improvements not yet sufficient to restore parental responsibility.
- The juvenile court now leads the live proceeding on any supervised reunification, and the family’s lawyers are evaluating a possible appeal to the Court of Cassation.
- The decision drew sharp criticism from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Minister Eugenia Roccella and prompted disappointment in Palmoli, where residents voiced support for the family.