Mother leaves children home alone in Italy to travel to Morocco

A mother who left her two children, aged 14 and 15, home alone while traveling to Morocco is facing charges of child abandonment. The 41-year-old mother, residing in Porto Recanati, a town in central Italy, did not inform her ex-husband or any other family member to take care of the children during her absence, local media reported. 

On Wednesday, October 16, the trial was opened in Macerata. One of the children has a mental disability and requires constant care.

The incident dates back to December 2022, when the mother left her children unattended to travel to Morocco. The situation came to light when the Carabinieri in Porto Recanati arrested the 14-year-old boy for acts of vandalism, which he committed with a group of other boys.

The Carabinieri then notified the children’s father, who was shocked to learn that his children had been left alone, especially since the mother, who has full custody, had not informed him of her absence.

The children confirmed this version of events, and authorities were unable to reach the mother. The children were eventually placed in the care of their father.

The mother is now facing child abandonment charges, especially given her 15-year-old son's need for constant support due to his mental health condition. The first hearing for the trial is set for December 2. The father has joined the trial as a civil party.