Two children, one in the seventh grade and another one in the second grade, were taken to a placement center after it was established that they lived in insanitary conditions and their mother had an immoral behavior. The case attracted the attention of ombudswoman for children’s rights Maia Bănărescu after the local public authorities complained that they do not have intervention instruments, IPN reports.

According to Maia Bănărescu, the family’s house is practically destroyed. The children didn’t have prepared food and food products, didn’t have heat and their mother was absent from home for two days. On January 30, the children were taken to a placement center in the district. Their mother hasn’t yet inquired about the children. When asked by the ombudswoman’s team, the extended family said they would not take care of the children.

The tutelage authorities said the family benefitted from all the concessions provided by the state to socially disadvantaged families. Even so, the children’s mother who lives with a concubine does not look after the children. Attempts were made to deprive her of parental rights, but the court of law ruled in favor of the mother as this promised she will change her behavior. The tutelage authorities earlier penalized the woman for negligence and violence against children. The children’s biological father who abused alcohol also does not take care of the children. According to Maia Bănărescu, the children are very good even if they lived in difficult conditions. They  are communicable, active and attend school.

“In Moldova, we have a very good child protection system and efficient intervention mechanisms in the field. Nevertheless, as long as such situations are witnessed, we can say that society lacks many things and responsibility should be placed on the parents and they should be trained,” Maia Bănărescu told a news conference, noting the tutelage authority is preparing the third application to deprive the mother of parental rights.