The Polish woman who made international news after being found unintentionally at her parents’ home after allegedly being indoors for 27 years was reportedly near death when discovered, according to her neighbors, quoting medics who examined her.
The 42-year-old woman, known only as Mirella in local media, went missing when she was 15 years old, with her parents informing people she had gone missing, according to Fakt, the daily that broke the story, and TVP 3.
In July, she was discovered famished and severely injured in her parents’ home in Świętochłowice, about 180 miles from the Polish capital of Warsaw, according to local authorities, as reported by Fakt, TVP3, and Super Express.
According to multiple sites, the finding was totally by happenstance, occurring when an officer arrived to Mirella’s parents’ home after neighbors reported a dispute.
The officer located Mirella’s 81-year-old mother, who said nothing was wrong – a notion Mirella shared. The officer became suspicious when he noticed Mirella’s leg injuries and requested emergency medical aid, according to Super Express.
Mirella’s neighbors organized a fundraiser, claiming physicians decided she was “days away from death due to infection” when she was brought in.
Mirella had “open leg wounds” when she was discovered.
Mirella has since come out, stating that she is not being imprisoned against her will. According to Fakt, after being released from the hospital, she was taken home to her parents.
According to Super Express, police are looking at the issue as possible abuse.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
