Emergency services in the central Colombian department of Boyaca rescued five children who had been living since birth in caves dug by their father, without contact with the outside world, Colombian media reported Saturday.
The children, ranging in age from 8 months to 11 years, were discovered living in caves close to the town of Turmeque.
According to reports, the children were frightened by social contact, having lived alone since birth.
“Since they had no contact with the outside world, transporting them and washing them wasn’t easy. When we turned on the television, they ran away,” Alirio Garzon, a volunteer with the civil defense office in Turmeque.
One child – a 2-year-old girl – was hospitalized for malnutrition after the rescue, while the others were placed in the care of the Colombian Institute for Family Well-being.
The minors’ father, who was absent from the site during the rescue, is said to have suffered an accident some years ago, leaving him with psychological problems.
Neither the mother nor the father of the children has been found by authorities.