Black and white headshot of Christian Steffen.
Share this @internewscast.com

THIS is the first image of the father-of-three accused of keeping his young children trapped in a Spanish “house of horrors” since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Christian Steffen, 53, and his wife Melissa Ann Steffen, 48, were arrested for alleged child abuse after the police raided the house in Spain.

Black and white headshot of Christian Steffen.
Christian Steffen, 53, has been arrested alongside his wife for alleged child abuseCredit: Solarpix
Police officer with two young boys outside a house.
Cops freed three young children from a house where they had been held captive since the pandemicCredit: Solarpix
A soiled mattress in a bathroom.
The house was full of rubbish and pet excrementCredit: Solarpix
Child's cot with children's drawings on the headboard.
The children were forced to wear nappies and sleep in caged bedsCredit: Solarpix

The eight-year-old twins and a ten-year-old boy were found in appalling conditions – each wearing three face masks, forced to wear diapers, and sleep in caged beds.

A source familiar with the ongoing investigation stated: “They had a schedule and a limited number of times per day they could use the bathroom because the rest of the time they were required to wear diapers.”

The young boys were reportedly suffering from “severe constipation” when they were discovered because they weren’t allowed to go to the toilet when they wanted.

An unnamed investigator told Spanish media: “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.”

The parents also used black market medicines containing cannabis derivative THC to treat the kids for alleged deficit attention disorders which investigators say they are not even sure the youngsters were suffering.

The children were reportedly kept out of school and were forbidden to leave the house.

The mum-of-three told cops they had asked officials in Germany – where they lived before moving to northern Spain – for permission to educate their kids at home after the initial Covid crisis.

The family emigrated after being warned that social services would be alerted if they took them out of school.

A guest room in the horror house had been turned into a makeshift classroom where the boys had reportedly learned to read, write and draw.

The police said the house was full of rubbish and old medicines as well as filthy pet excrement and used tampons.

Connecticut woman who allegedly held stepson captive for over 20 years pleads not guilty

But strangely the couple were reportedly using half a dozen air purifier machines they kept in their bedroom.

The children were reportedly told to lower the blinds on their bedroom windows at 5.10pm each day after being allowed to raise them exactly halfway up the windows during daylight hours.

They had no television to watch or electronic games to play with and wore pyjamas all day and all night – and many neighbours have admitted they had no idea anyone was even living in the house.

Cops were only called when a resident in the area raised the alarm.

The woman reportedly heard voices that sounded like children coming from the house despite never having seen anyone leave the house to play or go to school. 

After several days of surveillance cops were clear that more than just the man they saw coming in and out had to live there.

The size of the boxes of food of the orders that the man brought into the home were the biggest giveaway.

But nothing could prepare the agents for what they would find when they entered the horror house.

When they wanted to take them out of the building they did not even have shoes of their size as they had not bought shoes for years.

The police added that when the children were freed, one of them knelt on the grass and touched it with amazement.

An officer said: “They touched the grass and breathed fresh air as if they had never done so before in their lives.

“They saw a snail and they were completely taken aback.”

Police officers with three children outside a house.
The boys have now been placed under the guardianship of the Government of the Principality
Soiled mattress in a neglected room.
The cops were horrified by what they found inside the house
Interior of a crib with bedding and a stuffed animal.
The children were forbidden to leave the house

The chief commissioner of the Local Police of Oviedo, Francisco Javier Lozano explained the details of the operation leading to the arrest of the couple at 2.45pm on Monday.

The initial search of the house was reportedly made more difficult because Spain had been plunged into darkness by the electricity outrage.

When the cops knocked on the front door, the father answered but asked the officers to wait for a few minutes so the children could put their masks on.

One police officer told the Spanish press: “They were very scared and around the mother, who told us all the time that the little ones had serious pathologies and that we should not approach them.

“They had three masks each on top of each other. They were oblivious to any contact with reality.” 

Lozano added: “We have dismantled the house of horrors”.

Having been checked out at the Central University Hospital of Asturias the children have now been placed under the guardianship of the Government of the Principality.

And the boys’ parents have been warned they face possible prison sentences of between five and seven years.

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

It is not yet clear who is defending them, but lawyers hired by the couple are expected to consider an expert analysis of their clients’ mental health amid speculation it had suffered as a result of the Covid crisis.

Christian reportedly worked as a freelance senior tech recruiter and HR manager, having obtained a doctorate in philosophy from Hamburg University.

He previously worked as a marketing consultant and head of a call centre at a telecommunications company.

A Guardia Civil police car parked outside a courthouse.
The cops launched an investigation after a resident raised concerns that there may be people inside the houseCredit: EPA
House where a German couple held their children captive.
The family’s house in Oviedo, northern SpainCredit: AFP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Diddy trial: Jury in Sean Combs' sex trafficking trial to resume deliberations after reaching partial verdict

Diddy Court Case: Jury to Continue Deliberations After Partial Verdict in Sean Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

NEW YORK — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial…
Close-up photo of Paul Davis, an AI scam victim.

I lost hundreds to a scammer posing as ‘Jennifer Aniston’, claiming to love me and needing money for ‘Apple subscriptions’

A MAN was cruelly scammed out of £200 after being sweet-talked by…
Broken pieces of dark chocolate on a dark surface.

Chocolate from major Walmart competitor recalled in 8 U.S. states due to undeclared, potentially dangerous ingredient.

SHOPPERS have been urged to check their pantries after a box of…
Daughter of assassinated civil rights leader sees painful echoes of political violence in America

Daughter of Slain Civil Rights Leader Recognizes Troubling Patterns of Political Violence in the US

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Over six decades have passed since a white…

Speculation Grows About Girl’s Scary Fall from Disney Cruise Ship and Her Heroic Dad’s Rescue Dive

RUMORS and theories continue to swirl regarding how a little girl went…
Chicago Pizza Pass deal launches with 25 restaurants, including Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, Pizano's participating

“Chicago Pizza Pass Debuts with 25 Restaurants, Featuring Favorites Like Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and Pizano’s”

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Pizza Pass deal is now off and…
Aerial view of a fireworks facility fire in Esparto, Yolo County.

Huge Blast Completely Obliterates California Fireworks Warehouse, Causing Tremors and Resident Evacuations

A FIREWORKS warehouse in northern California was completely destroyed in a huge…
Jessica Alba and daughter Honor, 17, match in floral outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Jessica Alba and Her 17-Year-Old Daughter, Honor, Sport Matching Floral Outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Page Six may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you…
Jury in Diddy's sex trafficking trial to resume deliberations after reaching partial verdict

Jury to Continue Deliberations in Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Case After Partial Verdict

NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking…
Duval parents rally against DEI policy changes

Duval Parents Protest Alterations to DEI Policy

Parents and students rallied against changes to DEI policies and book bans…
The challenge the Nets are facing with their huge draft haul

The Dilemma the Nets Face with Their Vast Draft Collection

Having five first-round picks is a First World problem. But that doesn’t…
Outdoor pool with swimmers and a building in the background.

Alarming Rise in Pool Assaults Hits German Region: 74 Cases Reported, Syrian Nationals Arrested for Alleged Child Groping

A DISTURBING epidemic is sweeping through Germany with hundreds of people reporting…