'Family in the woods' may have house paid for 12 years or return to Australia

 L'AQUILA, Abruzzo-- The so-called 'Family in the woods" may return to Australia after being what many see as persecuted by the Italian state for living off the grid in Abruzzo with their children but the local community are stepping in with financial support to try and make it possible for them to stay on the peninsula, according to a report by il Fatto Quotidiano. 

The couple's three children have been in a foster care facility in Abruzzo after local authorities deemed them unfit to care for their children. The family was living off the grid, with no running water, electricity or traditional schooling. Local authorities decided the parents were unfit to raise their children and removed them from the home.  See our article on the initial case here: https://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/13841

This case has sparked the age old question of who knows best, parents or the state? 

In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia Catherine Birmingham said “What I am fighting is this very, very, very,  ignorant belief that what we have done to our children was wrong.” 

The local community has stepped in to offer support for the family financially. The rent on the home is being covered by the "Pia Miramar Ets" Foundation, which has agreed to pay, if necessary, until the children turn 18. This announcement was made by the owners of the property Armando Carusi and his daughter Leonora. The couple have three children, the oldest being 8 and two 6 year old twins. It is evident that some of the community believes in the parents' rights to be reunited with their children and supports their untraditional lifestyle. 

Nathan and Catherine are currently undergoing assessments ordered by the court to decide if they are fit to be parents. The couple was assessed on Friday, Feb. 20, the children are scheduled to be assessed March 6 and 7. The expert will then have 60 days to file his report to the court. Until this time the children will remain in the custody of the foster home, separated from their parents. 

 jp-ct