Shocking images of the father who allegedly sold his child in Germany. How he answers when asked if he misses him

Video

Shocking case in Gorj. A 6-year-old boy was allegedly sold by his parents for 4,500 lei to a man from Germany. He left the country with a neighbor who had a power of attorney. At home, in his village, no one – no authorities and no neighbors asked where the child had disappeared. Everything came to light when, upon enrolling in school, the German authorities asked for the adoption papers. The child will now be brought back to Romania. His two brothers are in the care of a foster carer until the police investigation is completed.

By the Observator editorial team on 26.04.2024, 20:29

Cristian has been in Germany for three months, over 1500 km from home. His father says he sent him there for a better future.

Ionel Ghelmegeanu, father of the children: I said that, no, he also has another possibility, we don’t have the possibility to keep them.

Reporter: Do you regret letting your child go?

Ionel Ghelmegeanu, father of the children: No.

Reporter: But why do you want to cry? Do you miss him?

Ionel Ghelmegeanu, father of the children: No.

Reporter: Did you think he would have a better future there?

Ionel Ghelmegeanu, father of the children: Yes.

The child left with a neighbor who works there and ended up with a German citizen who met the boy when he came to Romania. The little boy’s uncle accuses the parents of having received money.

Children’s uncle: Almost 1000 euros – 900 euros. I gave it to my brother-in-law and instead of taking food, he took the money to the girl.

Ionel Ghelmegeanu, father of the children: He didn’t give us any money. He became attached to him, when he came to the country, the child directly to him.

The children’s grandmother: They said they gave him for three months and he brings him and now on Easter he didn’t bring the child. I told them: don’t tell your children that you are wrong. They didn’t listen to me.

Alexandru Călinoiu – lawyer: He left with the child with that limited-term power of attorney through Nădlac customs, perfectly legal, the checks were done. The power of attorney was scanned, the identity documents were scanned.

The story came to light earlier this month

The German authorities requested proof of adoption after the man he reached wanted to enroll him in school and at the family doctor. Because he could not prove that he legally took the child from Romania, the German officials got in touch with our authorities, who immediately asked those from Child Protection to check the family’s situation. The minor’s two siblings, an 8-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, are now in the care of a foster carer. Yesterday they were visited by the Minister of the Family.

Natalia Intotero – Minister of the Family: For about 3-4 days, the brothers of this minor have been taken by the DGASPC, they are in the care of the state, I wanted to make sure that they are taken care of, that they benefit from psychological counseling.

Lidia Bîrsanu – psychologist: After I took over the two minors at home, the 8-year-old eldest girl was basically waiting for someone to take her out of the family and give her a different environment.

Although Cristian was not seen for three months, no one from the locality was interested in his fate, neither neighbors nor authorities. The town hall of Danciuleşti claims that the family was not noticed by the social workers because they would never have had problems. This despite the fact that the parents and the three children lived in abject poverty. They all slept in one room, and in the winter they froze because instead of windows they had cardboard.

Marius Bădescu, mayor of Danciulești: It was an integrated family, it was not a divided family.

Reporter: Does this situation surprise you? Are you shocked by what you found out?

Marius Bădescu, mayor of Danciulești: If what has been said is true, it will surprise me.

The boy is now in the custody of German authorities, who will work with Romanian officials to bring him back to the country. According to the latest Eurostat data, 900 Romanians were victims of human trafficking in the European Union last year. More than half of them were children.