Court Removes Off-Grid Italian Forest Children, Sparks National Outcry

A family living off-grid in a remote forest in Abruzzo, Italy, is at the center of a nationwide controversy after a court ordered their three children be removed and placed in foster care. The family, known in Italian media as the Bimbi nel Bosco, or “kids in the woods,” has drawn intense public attention, with tens of thousands signing petitions demanding the children be returned.

The parents, Nathan Trevallion, a 51-year-old British former chef, and Catherine Birmingham, a 45-year-old Australian life coach and former equestrian trainer, had been raising their children in a cabin without running water or an indoor toilet. The family relied on solar panels for electricity, fireplaces for heat, and a well for water. They used an outdoor composting toilet and homeschooled the children.

According to the L’Aquila court's ruling, the family lived in “housing hardship,” with no school attendance, limited social interaction, and no verified income. The court cited risks to the children’s physical and mental well-being, suspending the parents’ custodial rights while placing the children in a church-run care facility. The mother is staying on-site, but both parents now have restricted access to the children.

The case gained visibility in 2024 when all five family members were hospitalized for wild mushroom poisoning. Social services began monitoring the family, but officials say the parents did not follow recommendations for regular medical care or school enrollment.

The decision has drawn criticism from high-level Italian leaders. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the removal “alarming,” while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini labeled it “shameful,” accusing the state of interfering in private lifestyle choices. Local mayor Giuseppe Masciulli said the situation could be resolved if the family agrees to reinstall running water and work with the local school to track academic progress.

The family plans to appeal the ruling next week.

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