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Austrian dungeon woman
An Austrian woman was imprisoned in a secret dungeon for 24 years by her abusive father and gave birth to his seven children.
Elisabeth Fritzl told police she had been drugged and dragged to the cellar of her family home by her father in 1984 and hidden there ever since.
During her captivity the 42-year-old from Amstetten, said she had been repeatedly raped by her father, 'Josef F', 73, and had seven of his children - one of whom is believed to have died in infancy.
'Josef F' has been arrested on suspicion of incest and keeping his daughter in captivity.
Of Miss Fritzl's six children, a 19-year-old woman and two sons, aged five and 18, were believed to have been kept with her and never seen daylight, until their rescue.
The three other children - a boy and two girls aged 12 to 16 - were allowed to attend school after being 'adopted' by Miss Fritzl's father and his wife.
Miss Fritzl explained to police that she gave birth to twins in 1996, but one died days later and her father burned the corpse.
Josef F had told friends and family that his daughter had disappeared and only contacted him sporadically by post. He even claimed that she had left her three children with him and a note on the doorstep saying she couldn't care for them.
According to police no one knew of the existence of the other three children - not even Josef's 66-year-old wife.
A spokesman said of the children: 'They are all in psychological care in a secure institution in a clinic here in this area. They are being cared for individually - those between 12 and 16 years of age who grew up with their grandparents, and two boys who, when they came out yesterday with their mother, saw the daylight for the first time in their lives.'
The discovery of Miss F was made after her father took her 19-year-old daughter to hospital earlier this month. After doctors failed to diagnose the illness, they contacted police for the mother's medical history. After visiting the family home, they obtained a search warrant for the house and discovered the cellar.
Monday 28 April 2008
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I think this story is the most disgusting situation I have ever heard. I was sick to my stomach, to learn that a father would do this to his own child. Just continue to keep the rest of the family in prayer.
Comment by Stanley on May 29 20:02
I think it is disgusting that someone who is meant to protect his children has done this to one of them, i personally could never and will never understand what was going through his mind for him to do this to his child. I could never do this to someone else's child yet alone my own, he is a sick psycho who needs to be locked up and have the key thrown away. I feel for these children n Elizabeth, they no matter how hard they try will never forget what this individual (not saying man or human being because it isn't one) has done to them. I just really hope that this doesn't affect the rest of there troubled lives.
Comment by Gemma on April 29 18:36
I was just terrified to hear this news. It is, yes, disgusting. It is also appalling that this man's wife did not know anything. How could she?
Comment by Mio on April 29 03:17
Staggered that this could go unnoticed for so long.I am aware that depraved humans can go to extremes but this is off the scale. I hope and pray that Miss F and her children can somehow function normally again.
Comment by Tess on April 28 12:30
I worry a lot for this planet. The cause of so much grief and rape, incest, and the brutal treatment of a lot of women in the world, inc, women not being able to drive in S. Arabia, and the wearing of headscarfs by some arab women. What is the cause, well, MEN that is the cause.
There is something fundamentally flawed about the male psychy. A man in Australia did a similar thing with his DAUGHTER and had two kids with her. These are disgusting and dispicable acts and an abhorrent abuse of a position of trust and power.MEN will oblitorate our planet with nuclear bombs aswell. When do you hear of a woman raping a child or stabbing someone in a road rage incident ????? I love my man but SO MANY men are not fit to be in positions of power on our planet, yet what can we do about it. I get so angry and concerned for our children's future. More women like Hilary Clinton in positions of power is a good move to rectify this.
Comment by Paula on April 28 12:25
One of the worst stories I have ever read. Haunted since I heard about this last night. The monster must have had enablers too. Where were the neighbors, his wife? It is an evil that takes your breath away and makes you fear for humankind--can we be capable, any one of us, of such a thing? apparently, yes.
Comment by Veronica McNiff on April 28 10:49
Well here is another crazy man abusing his child, what on earth goes on in these people's minds. He needs to be locked up for life, there is no help for him, nothing could possibly make this person human, he is an amimal, only animals behave in this manner.
How messed up must this woman and her kids be?
Comment by anna kioufi on April 28 09:56
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