In a shocking case out of Oviedo, Spain, three children were rescued from a secluded home after being kept indoors for over three years by their parents, who were consumed by paranoia over COVID-19.

The chilling situation came to light thanks to a vigilant neighbour who had been documenting the family’s unusual behaviour since they moved in during the height of the pandemic in 2021.

Known only as Silvia, the neighbour noticed troubling signs — the children’s window blinds were raised only briefly each day, only the father interacted with the outside world, and diaper deliveries continued despite the children being eight and ten years old. After years of silent observation, she finally contacted local police.

What investigators found was disturbing. The German couple — Christian Steffen (53) and his German-American wife Melissa Ann Steffen (48) — had isolated their children in extreme conditions, making them wear diapers, three face masks at a time, and pyjamas 24/7. The house was filled with dirty diapers, unused toilets, and up to six running ozone air purifiers.

Medical exams revealed that the children suffered from chronic constipation, as they were forced to relieve themselves in diapers rather than use the bathroom. The children — two 8-year-old twins and a 10-year-old — had reportedly not been outdoors in more than three years.

Authorities suggest that the parents may be suffering from an extreme psychological condition dubbed “COVID Syndrome”. Police uncovered records showing the family had previously been warned by German educational authorities about homeschooling. In response, they fled to Spain to avoid scrutiny.

When the children were taken outside for the first time — into their own backyard — they reportedly screamed in fear, overwhelmed by the experience of fresh air and open space. Inside the home, police found handwritten homeschool materials, board games, and disturbing child drawings, including depictions of monsters on their beds.

The couple now faces five to seven years in prison, with possible extensions as more charges may follow. Spanish authorities credit the neighbour’s timely tip for ending what the media has called a “reign of terror”.