Abusive Vlaardingen foster parents lose custody of biological child
A Dutch court has removed the parental authority from John van den B. and Daisy W., the Vlaardingen couple convicted last year of severely abusing a 10-year-old foster girl, extending the decision to their biological daughter and a foster son who lived with them since 2016, AD reports.
The couple, dubbed “horror foster parents,” was sentenced to eight years in prison for locking, abusing, and neglecting the 10-year-old, who fell into a coma and will require lifelong intensive care.
The civil ruling this week concluded that while the couple’s biological daughter and the foster son were not direct victims, they witnessed violence between the ages of four and eight. The court noted that exposure to domestic violence can be as damaging as direct abuse. Experts said the daughter carried a long-held secret and felt guilty for not reporting the abuse.
Both children have reportedly lived elsewhere for more than a year and are expected to need significant therapy.
John van den B. and Daisy W. attempted to maintain custody of the children despite their imprisonment. John argued that he never abused them and claimed restraining the 10-year-old was necessary to protect the others. The couple contended their actions stemmed from the foster girl’s “problematic behavior."
Since incarceration, John has seen his daughter only once, and the foster son has not visited. The Public Prosecution Service has appealed the criminal verdict, seeking convictions for more severe abuse.
John’s lawyer questioned whether removing custody truly benefits the children, saying, “By removing authority, the children no longer have annual court oversight. In the foster girl’s case, we learned children are not adequately safe. A placed child needs a judge to check if they’re okay. That oversight is now permanently gone.”
The biological mother of the foster son welcomed the court decision to transfer guardianship to youth services.
A spokesperson said, “They provide him with a safe place. This has been in place since May 2024, aimed at giving him a positive environment. She hopes their bond will continue to strengthen.”
According to the court hearing, the children are currently doing well. Youth protection workers regularly meet with them, and they reportedly enjoy school and activities including horseback riding, soccer, and gymnastics.
