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The father of three from a British-Australian family living in the woods in central Italy’s Chieti province has been transferred to an educational facility following a court order, but he has condemned the decision as “unjust”.
Authorities intervened after the entire family was hospitalized with mushroom poisoning, and a juvenile court in central L’Aquila ruled last week that the couple’s alternative lifestyle was putting their children’s lives at risk.
A family of five, including an 8-year-old girl and two 5-year-old twin boys, were pursuing a lifestyle in touch with nature in a caravan and a house without running water or electricity in the Palmori Forest.
Nathan Trevallion hit back at the decision, telling local reporters that the authorities’ decision led to “the worst night of my life.”
“Separating children from their parents is the greatest pain…it’s not fair,” he said.
The court order, which was enforced by police, allowed Mr Trevallion’s wife, Katherine Birmingham, to stay with the children during the observation period and allowed the father to remain in the woodland home.
Social services conducted an inspection and determined that the environment was inappropriate for the child’s development due to high social isolation.
The children were not attending school and had no peer relationships, which were factors that influenced the decision to suspend parental responsibility.
The couple’s lawyer confirmed that the court order had been complied with and a legal guardian had been appointed, and said the mother will live in a facility with the children to provide “emotional continuity.”
The children are safe and in good health, the lawyer said, but the defense is considering whether to challenge the court order.
30,000 signatures support family
The parents insisted that their lifestyle was not one of neglect or abandonment, but a deliberate choice inspired by a return to nature.
They argue that the children are home-schooled, which is legal in Italy, and are cared for by a pediatrician, and that material simplicity poses a danger. The couple argue that removal poses a greater traumatic risk than living in the forest.
The incident sparked widespread media attention and public mobilization in Italy, with an online petition calling for families to stay together at home gathering more than 30,000 signatures.
Advocates defend the legitimacy of homeschooling and the right to alternative lifestyles, but the final decision will be made by the courts.
Expert reports will be released in the coming weeks and will decide whether the children can return to their normal lives or whether permanent alternative solutions need to be found.
