Dad 'abandons' adopted twins, 6, 'after losing interest in parenting'
An Argentine father has allegedly abandoned his two recently-adopted African twin sons at a police station because he lost interest in his parental duties, police said.
The six-year-old boys, whose names have not been disclosed, were reportedly left at a police station for women in Bahia Blanca in the province of Buenos Aires in eastern Argentina.
Police stations for women are dedicated to cases regarding gender violence, children and family issues.
The twins’ adoptive parents have been identified as Eduardo Rucci and Natacha Perrig and have an 11-year-old biological daughter of their own, according to local publications.
Local sources said Eduardo drove about 997 kilometres to his native city of Bahia Blanca from San Martin de Los Andes in Neuquen Province at the foot of the Andes on November 17 to leave the children at the station.
Infobae newspaper said the family had moved to the Andean region after returning from a trip to Africa in January of this year.
The parents are now under investigation by the authorities for possible child abuse and the police are looking into the legality of their adoption, the publication said.
Infobae reported that Rucci arrived at the station holding the boys by their arms refusing to look at them.
He told the authorities that he wanted to return the children because he has lost interest in all paternal obligations of taking care, feeding, and educating his kids, the publication said.
There have been no reports as to why officials at the station allowed him to leave the twins there.
On Father’s Day, Rucci posted on social media that this year was special for him and his adopted sons.
According to local sources, the children did not know they were being dropped off at the station for good and they waited for their adoptive father to return for a period of time.
They are now being cared for by the local authorities and are said to be healthy and well despite their difficult situation.
Around 500 people have already reached out to offer their help since the news became public.
Locals from San Martin de Los Andes said they were shocked to hear about the reported abandonment.
“If they had financial problems they would have said something,” an unidentified person told Infobae.
“I don't understand how he left the city with the two kids, travelled 1,500 kilometres and no one asked for papers. He came back without the two kids and there was not a single official complaint or anything.”
Others said they looked like a completely “normal” and “loving” family.
Investigations are ongoing.
Australscope
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