Parents of ‘Famiglia nel bosco’ appeal court ruling

Catherine Birmingham and Nathan Trevallion, parents of the so-called ‘Famiglia nel bosco’, have announced an appeal following a ruling by the Juvenile Court of L'Aquila. The court has ordered a gradual reunification process for their three children, who have been separated from their parents for ten months. This plan includes daytime visits to Palmoli and potential weekend stays starting in October, under the supervision of social services.

The parents have expressed deep distress over the decision, stating it ‘breaks our hearts’. They are contesting the ruling on several grounds, including the mandatory enrollment of their children in public school rather than continuing their established homeschooling program. They also raised concerns regarding the children's health, claiming medical professionals have advised that an immediate return home is necessary to mitigate health risks.

Their lawyer, Simone Pillon, has criticized the ‘inertia’ and ‘unacceptable delays’ of social services in implementing the court's directives. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for bullying once the children enter the public school system due to the intense media attention surrounding their case.