Peristeri: “It Arose Unexpectedly,” Lawyer Says About Children Living in Squalid Conditions

Shocking details continue to emerge regarding the appalling conditions in which six children from the same family were living in Peristeri.

The family’s lawyer, A. Kerchanatzidou, speaking on SKAI television today, attempted to explain how the situation came about. “These are two young parents who wanted these children, who love their family and care deeply for their children, and each of them is trying in their own way to offer the best they can to this large family.

As for the incident that occurred — and I would like to clarify this — this was not a permanent condition in which the family had been living. The situation arose because of the family’s sudden relocation from the island to Athens. They had signed, and I have the document in my possession to present to the juvenile prosecutor if necessary, a rental agreement. Unfortunately, however, the previous tenant delayed vacating and handing over the property,” she initially explained.

Asked whether the children attended school, the lawyer replied: “They attended school normally, and I want that to be made clear. Even when they moved to Lipsi in the middle of the school year, the children attended school there regularly. In fact, their teachers there hold a different view from the one expressed in Athens.”

Responding to journalists’ questions about how the parents could allow their children to appear in such a neglected condition, the lawyer said: “Your question is understandable, and as a mother myself, believe me, I initially had exactly the same thoughts. Being their lawyer does not remove my role as a member of society or as a mother. It was my question too, and I genuinely wanted to meet them in person first in order to form an opinion. They are two normal parents, two normal people, because when you hear about incidents like this, you imagine there must be something seriously wrong.”

“When they moved to Athens and could not immediately access their home, they had no choice but to stay somewhere temporarily. Unfortunately, they ended up staying in that specific rooftop dwelling. During all of this, and I want to remind you that the mother is pregnant and close to giving birth, she was suffering from severe pain at the time, making it difficult for her to care for the children. At the same time, the children became ill with gastrointestinal infections, which spread very easily…”

Finally, when asked whether the parents still wished to retain custody of their children, the lawyer replied: “They absolutely want to keep custody of their children, they will seek it, and they will do everything possible to reunite their family. The state’s primary concern should be to keep families together and to help improve difficult situations wherever possible. It is not desirable — and I believe Mr. Giannopoulos would agree — to separate families, but rather for the state to help them get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”

16-Month Suspended Sentence for the Parents

It is recalled that the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court sentenced each parent of the six children to 16 months in prison.

The court convicted the couple of exposing minors to danger (in its misdemeanor form).

The case, for which the parents were arrested on Tuesday night, came to the attention of authorities following a report about the family’s living conditions in an extremely small, filthy and entirely unsuitable space — a rooftop structure on top of an apartment building, surrounded by solar water heaters and other installations.

The court granted both parents a suspended sentence.

The children, aged between 3 and 11 years old, have been transferred by order of the authorities to a hospital, where they will undergo medical examinations.