Police officer with two children outside a house.
Share this @internewscast.com

THREE children who were trapped in a “House of Horrors” by their parents were rescued thanks to one tiny clue uncovered by a neighbour.

Christian Steffen, 53, and his wife Melissa Ann Steffen, 48, were taken into custody following accusations of child abuse after police raided their residence in Spain.

Police officer with two children outside a house.
Cops freeing two of the three young children from the house where they had been held captive since the Covid pandemicCredit: Solarpix
Black and white headshot of Christian Steffen.
Christian Steffen, 53, has been arrested alongside his wife for alleged child abuseCredit: Solarpix
Messy bathroom with a dog and its food bowls.
The house was full of rubbish and pet excrementCredit: Solarpix

The couple allegedly confined their eight-year-old twins and ten-year-old son inside their home since the onset of the Covid pandemic.

It has now been revealed that the youngsters were saved thanks to a university professor’s secret diary.

A neighbor, Silvia, provided the authorities with a detailed diary containing evidence that suggested the children were being kept at the Steffen’s home.

German-born Christian was registered as the only resident in the affluent home after he started to rent the property in October 2021.

Silvia, who lives just 65ft away from the home, first jotted down claims that she witnessed a little girl playing in the garden.

This later evolved into a slew of evidence as Silvia continued to note what she saw going on in the home.

They included details of the days and times the curtains on the second floor moved and even when the blinds were opened or lowered.

Notes even kept tabs on every occasion the man believed to be Christian left the house to meet delivery drivers or collected food deliveries.

She never saw a child leave the home or playing around in the time since making the diary.

Her suspicions continued to grow after she saw the amount and size of supermarket deliveries which the homeowner was receiving.

Nurse Charged After Alleged Abuse of Stepson: Shocking Details Emerge

Despite only one person appearing to live in the house, SIlvia noted that there was enough food and drink to feed a whole family each time.

At one point, Silvia even claims she started to hear children’s voices coming from across the street.

After collecting the detailed dossier, the professor handed her notes over to the cops on April 14.

They started to investigate the serious accusations and soon discovered nappies were being purchased.

Without that neighbour, the children would almost certainly have gone undetected in that house for many more years

City hall sourceOviedo, Spain

This sparked a major search inside the property so police could see what was going on inside shortly before Spain’s historic blackout.

Police would go on to thank Silvia for noticing the peculiar shopping list as they labelled the spot as the key clue which helped them arrest the parents.

A city hall source told respected Spanish daily El Mundo: “The neighbour had collected evidence that during school hours no-one left the house and expressed with certainty there had to be children living there, and even claimed to have seen them.

“The shopping list was the clue that set it all off.

Police officer speaking with two children.
The boys were saved after four years in captivity
Pink house with a garage and stairs leading up to the entrance.
The family’s house in Oviedo, northern SpainCredit: AFP

“It was the list of a family, not a single person, and there was something that didn’t fit at all which was the striking amount of nappies.”

The source added: “Without that neighbour, the children would almost certainly have gone undetected in that house for many more years.”

It was also revealed that many of the neighbours didn’t even realise that the house was being lived in at all due to how secretive the dad had been.

Since the arrests, cops have spoken out about the horrors inside the home as well as the treatment of the young children.

Police who raided the property told local press the youngsters were made to wear nappies and told when and how many times they could use the toilet.

The three boys were reportedly told they could only lower the blinds in their bedrooms at 5.10pm each day after being allowed to raise them exactly halfway up the windows during daylight hours.

Prosecutors say filthy diapers were even piled up in one of the bedrooms.

A shocking paediatric report on the kids later identified they were suffering from “severe constipation”, El Español reports.

This is reportedly due to them only being allowed to go to the toilet at specific times.

An unnamed investigator Spanish media quoted said: “The children’s parents claimed the youngsters didn’t know how to control their bowel movements but the paediatric report has shown that to be false.”

Police say once the children were freed one of them knelt down on the grass and “touched it with amazement”.

We have given three children back their lives

Francisco Javier LozanoOviedo Police Chief Inspector

Oviedo Police Chief Inspector Francisco Javier Lozano said: “We have given three children back their lives.”

German freelance tech recruiter Christian and his US-born wife are both now facing between five ad seven years behind bars if found guilty.

They are currently being investigated on suspicion of domestic violence, psychological mistreatment and child abandonment.

Overnight it emerged officials were still trying to locate relatives of the three boys currently in social service care.

Regional government vice-president Gimena Llamedo said work will continue this week to try to track down other family members.

She said: “We will carry on working towards trying to locate relatives who could and would meet the criteria to take care of the children, whose welfare is our utmost priority.”

Child's crib with crayon drawings and bedding.
The children were forced to wear nappies and sleep in caged bedsCredit: Solarpix
Guardia Civil police car parked in a parking lot.
The cops launched an investigation after a resident raised concerns that there may be people inside the houseCredit: EPA
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Autopsy technician reveals the most bizarre ways her patients have died — and the common act that kills many

Autopsy Technician Shares Unusual Causes of Death and the Surprising Habit Responsible for Many Fatalities

Lives are at steak. An autopsy technician is urging elderly people to…
TPUSA Event: Homan's Feisty Interaction With Protester, Tampa Police Deliver 'Find Out' Message to Driver

TPUSA Event: Homan Engages in Spirited Exchange With Protester, Tampa Police Issue Stern Warning to Driver

Turning Point USA’s 2025 Student Action Summit is being held at the…
How law enforcement's discovery of rare drug in Suzanne Morphew's body led to her husband's eventual arrest

Forensic Scientist Suggests Suzanne Morphew’s Remains Possibly Relocated Twice After Her Death

Suzanne Morphew’s body may have been moved twice after she died, according…
Russia's Lavrov warns US against 'exploiting' alliances as he meets with Kim Jong Un in North Korea

Russia’s Lavrov Cautions US on ‘Abusing’ Alliances During Meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the “invincible fighting brotherhood” between Russia…
George Retes, disabled vet and US citizen, taken during Camarillo, California immigration raid at Glass House Farms: family

Disabled Veteran George Retes Detained in Immigration Raid at Glass House Farms, Camarillo, California, Says Family

Family members are in a state of distress seeking information after a…
Trump assassination suspect floats bizarre prisoner swap in letter to judge, asks why he can’t be executed

Suspect in Trump Assassination Plot Proposes Unusual Prisoner Exchange in Court Letter, Questions Execution Options

Ryan Routh, the suspected attempted assassin of President Donald Trump, has penned…
‘Ruthless’ Actor Derek Dixon Speaks Out on Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Tyler Perry: “I Couldn’t Stay Silent Anymore”

Actor Derek Dixon Breaks Silence on Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Tyler Perry: “I Had to Speak Up”

Derek Dixon, most recognized for portraying Dale in Tyler Perry’s shows Ruthless…
Dameonte, Gregory Watson sentenced in Chicago shooting death of WGN security guard Salena Claybourne at South Shore gas station

Gregory Watson Sentenced for Fatal Shooting of WGN Security Guard Salena Claybourne at South Shore Gas Station

CHICAGO (WLS) — Two brothers have received their sentences following the tragic…
Fed-up woman refuses to be breakfast chef for sister's children: 'Go ask your mom'

Exasperated Woman Declines Making Breakfast for Sister’s Kids: ‘Ask Your Mom Instead’

A woman recently vented her frustrations over a food-related family conflict to…
A man placing a USB drive into a bicycle's seat post.

Russian Spy Suspected of Hiding USB Drive in Bike Seat to Leak Grant Shapps’s Confidential Information

This is the incident where a man, suspected of being a Russian…
Texas deadly floods: Victims from the Houston area

Houston Area Casualties in Devastating Texas Floods

Early in the morning on July 4, a catastrophic flood in the…
Karen Read lands lucrative book deal while witnesses face continued harassment after acquittal

Karen Read secures major book deal as witnesses continue to experience harassment post-acquittal

<!–> Karen Read Disposes of Trash Behind Boston Hotel Karen Read, recently…