ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

German mother sentenced for locking up daughter for 7 years

other · 2026-05-04

A German woman was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison for holding her daughter captive for nearly seven years. The 11-year-old girl was discovered in September 2022 at her grandparents' home in Attendorn, located in western Germany's Sauerland region. The mother was convicted of kidnapping and mistreatment of a minor. In a related case, the girl's grandmother received a two-year suspended sentence for similar offenses, while the grandfather also faced a suspended sentence as an accomplice. Authorities highlighted that the girl's prolonged isolation severely hindered her educational and medical development.

Key facts

  • Mother sentenced to 5 years in prison
  • Girl locked up for approximately 7 years
  • Girl freed in September 2022
  • Confinement occurred in Attendorn, Sauerland, Germany
  • Mother convicted of kidnapping, abduction of a minor, and mistreatment
  • Grandmother given 2-year suspended sentence
  • Grandfather received suspended sentence as accomplice
  • Girl had no schooling or medical care, suffered severe developmental problems

Entities

Locations

  • Attendorn
  • Sauerland
  • Germany

Sources