They hadn't stepped outside since 2021! Here's what we know about the children rescued from a COVID-19 house of horrors

In Oviedo, Spain, a disturbing case has emerged involving three young boys—twins aged eight and their ten-year-old brother—who were reportedly confined inside their home for nearly four years. Spanish police rescued the children this week, marking their first time outdoors since December 2021.

Authorities say the children's parents, identified as Christian Steffen, 53, from Germany, and Melissa Ann Steffen, 48, originally from the United States, allegedly isolated their sons out of fear of COVID-19. Now under arrest, the couple could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

DW reported that when the children were brought into the garden after years inside, they hyperventilated, lay on the grass, and touched it with fascination. Further, one officer told El Mundo, “They were scared... When we took them out of the house, into the garden, they saw a snail and went crazy.”



According to El Español, the parents had allegedly asked authorities in Germany for permission to homeschool their children after the pandemic began. When warned that social services would be notified, the family reportedly moved to Spain.

The house in the quiet Asturian neighborhood of Toleo was rented for four years. Inside, officers found appalling conditions: trash piled high, used tampons under the parents' bed, excrement from pets, and children sleeping in cribs while still wearing nappies. Photos revealed disturbing images of monsters drawn on the children’s beds.

One officer described the children as “dirty and completely disconnected from reality,” though they were not malnourished. A pediatric report noted severe constipation caused by restrictions on toilet use—children were only allowed to relieve themselves at scheduled times and otherwise wore diapers.



During the police visit on April 14—coinciding with widespread power outages in Spain—officers noticed the father, barefoot and disheveled, refused immediate entry and insisted they wear masks. When they entered, the children were wearing three masks each. Investigators found large quantities of ADHD medication, including drugs containing THC, allegedly sourced from the black market. Officials say it’s unclear whether the children were ever diagnosed with ADHD.

What is COVID Anxiety Syndrome ?COVID Anxiety Syndrome (CAS) is a psychological condition where individuals continue to experience heightened fear and anxiety related to COVID-19, even as the immediate threat diminishes. This syndrome is characterized by persistent behaviors such as compulsive symptom checking, avoidance of public places, and excessive cleaning. These actions are often driven by an overwhelming fear of infection, leading to significant disruptions in daily life.