Her Parents Locked Her In A Room With Toys At 15. Rescued At 42, She Can Barely Walk

Mirela, 42, was last seen by the outside world in 1998. (News18 Hindi)

A harrowing case of prolonged confinement has come to light in Swietochlowice, Poland, where a 42-year-old woman was discovered locked in a room in her own home by her parents for nearly three decades. Mirela, who had last been seen by the outside world in 1998 at the age of 15, was found in July this year following a police call about a domestic dispute.

Authorities arriving at the residence were met with a scene that left them stunned. Mirela’s room resembled that of a child, with a small bed, scattered toys, and a flower-shaped table. Despite the childlike surroundings, the woman, now in her forties, appeared gravely malnourished and debilitated.

Medical professionals later confirmed that had the discovery been delayed by even a few days, her survival would have been nearly impossible. Mirela could barely stand, let alone walk, and her legs were visibly swollen, prompting an immediate hospitalisation.

Her parents, when questioned, offered explanations that confounded authorities. Mirela’s mother claimed that she was occasionally allowed into the garden to meet friends, while the toys in the room, she said, were awaiting disposal. “I will throw them away, but I haven’t had time yet,” she told the police. Shockingly, Mirela herself initially insisted she did not require assistance, underscoring the psychological toll of decades-long isolation.

Although the rescue occurred months ago, the story has only recently come to public attention as neighbours rallied to support her ongoing medical care. A fundraiser organiser shared details on social media, revealing that doctors had warned Mirela was only days away from death due to severe infection. She has been hospitalised for over two months.

The social media post also highlighted the extreme deprivation Mirela endured. She never received medical care, never obtained an identity card, and never experienced ordinary life outside the confines of her parents’ home.

Her hair, teeth, and general physical condition remain in a state considered dangerous to her health. “People who knew Mirela believed she had left home decades ago,” the post read, adding that the reality was far grimmer. “Mirela says she has never truly seen her city,” it further said.