Son escapes, rescues 5 siblings trapped for 9 years with “end of times” father

The police discovered a father living with his six children in an 'end of times' bunker on a farm in Ruinerwold. The family, who hasn't seen the outside world for years, was discovered after the oldest son managed to get away on Sunday and went to a local pub for help, RTV Drenthe reports.

The pub owner told the broadcaster that the 25-year-old man showed up and had no idea where he was. "He said that he had not been outside for nine years. Later he also said that he had a brother and sisters who lived in the farm. He was the oldest and wanted to put an end to the way they lived", the pub owner said. "He had long hair, a dirty beard, wore old closed and had a confused look. His way of talking was childish."

The owner called the police, who took the man away with them. The police searched the farm on Buitenhuizerweg and discovered a staircase to the basement hidden behind a cupboard in the living room, according to the broadcaster. In the basement they found the father and five other children. The children are between the ages of 16 and 25.

The resident of the farm, a 58-year-old man, was arrested for refusing to cooperate with the police.

The family had been living in the basement for years. The had no contact with the outside world, living on a vegetable garden and a goat. The children thought they were the only people left in the world, according to the broadcaster. Where their mother is, is not known. 

The neighbors do not know the family. One neighbor told RTV Drenthe that a single man lives on the farm with a few geese and a barking dog. The farm is hidden behind the trees and hardly visible from the main road. 

The police searched the farm through the night. Police spokesperson Ramona Venema confirmed to the broadcaster that a family was found at the farm. The police are still full of questions and are investigating, she said.