Five children found living in hidden room for nine years waiting for 'end of times' spoke in 'fantasy language'
Details are beginning to emerge in the bizarre case of the family of six who had allegedly been brainwashed and held in captivity inside a home in the Netherlands for nine years as they awaited "the end of times."
MEAWW previously reported that they were discovered after one of the five children, believed to be the eldest son, finally managed to escape the house, located in the village of Ruinerworld, 60 miles north of Amsterdam, and went to a local bar, where he told the bartender of their plight.
Now, the names of the people responsible have been revealed, with the Daily Mail stating that the authorities have charged 58-year-old Josef Brunner, nicknamed 'Josef the Austrian,' as well as the children's father 67-year-old Geert van Dorsten.
Brunner is believed to have met van Dorsten through the Unification Church -- whose members were called 'moonies' -- after he dropped out of the army in the late 90s. While detectives are still trying to uncover what motivated Brunner to hold van Dorsten and his children captive, residents in the area said he had surveillance cameras around the property, kept the gate locked, and would "chase" anyone who came too close.
The family and the children, all adults and aged between 18 and 25, were discovered after Jan Zon van Dorsten, 25, went to the nearby café De Kastelein and told owner Chris Westerbeek how they had been living.
When the authorities responded to the residence, they found the family in a room hidden behind a staircase. Despite being in a "small, enclosed space" with no natural light, they were not malnourished and appeared normal, according to police. However, it was reported that they could barely talk and spoke in a "fantasy language."
"We are dealing with an exceptional situation in this study," said the police. "These people may have lived in the home since 2010, with each other and apart from society. The situation encountered requires a careful approach whereby attention and care is given to the young adults found. Various experts are involved."
"Care has been arranged in a safe place for the six people involved," they continued. "The adult children are not registered in the Personal Records Database. We are investigating the precise relationships between the suspects and persons who are part of the investigation."
Van Dorsten has been charged with abuse, money laundering -- police found a large amount of cash at the home believed to be donations from the moonies -- as well as 'removing' the liberty of individuals.
Brunner has been charged with unlawful detention and harming others' health and latter saw his custody extended for two weeks by a court. He is said to be refusing to cooperate with authorities.