The local "Märkische Oderzeitung" daily reported at the weekend that the girl appeared to have suffered "extreme neglect" and was physically and mentally behind in her development. "She reportedly saw no daylight for several years and was left to fend for herself for at least the last two years," national news agency DPA reported. There are no indications the girl's siblings suffered similar neglect, another local official told the same press conference. The case prompted outrage in Germany, with the topselling Bild daily asking why the youth welfare office did not inform police even after deciding the girl's situation had deteriorated enough to remove her from the home. According to Kurth, youth welfare workers had been in touch with the family since 2017.

Source: The Local January 13, 2020 16:07 UTC