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Austrian 'hid daughter in cellar' | Austrian 'hid daughter in cellar' |
(10 minutes later) | |
A 73-year-old Austrian is under arrest on suspicion of hiding his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathering six children with her, police say. | A 73-year-old Austrian is under arrest on suspicion of hiding his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and fathering six children with her, police say. |
The existence of the woman, believed missing since 1984 and now 42, emerged apparently after a teenage child fell ill and had to be taken to hospital. | |
Both the alleged abduction victim and her alleged daughter, who is 19, are now receiving medical treatment. | Both the alleged abduction victim and her alleged daughter, who is 19, are now receiving medical treatment. |
A police investigation in Amstetten, Lower Austria Province, is continuing. | A police investigation in Amstetten, Lower Austria Province, is continuing. |
The suspect, named only as Josef F, was arrested on suspicion of incest and keeping his daughter in captivity. | The suspect, named only as Josef F, was arrested on suspicion of incest and keeping his daughter in captivity. |
Police believe the man fathered six children, including one who died in infancy. | Police believe the man fathered six children, including one who died in infancy. |
DNA tests will be taken to establish whether Josef F was indeed their father. | DNA tests will be taken to establish whether Josef F was indeed their father. |
'Drugged and handcuffed' | |
The alleged incest and abduction came to light after a search was begun by the authorities for the mother of the sick 19-year-old. | |
Since her discovery, her alleged mother, named as Elisabeth F, has been receiving medical and psychological treatment, police say. | |
Reuters news agency has been giving details of a police statement based on Elisabeth's testimony. | |
She said she had been abused by her father since the age of 11, the statement says. | |
He allegedly lured her into the cellar of their house in Amstetten in 1984, and drugged and handcuffed her before locking her up, the statement continues. | |
"Abused continuously during the 24-year-long imprisonment", Elisabeth bore six children while a seventh died soon after birth, the statement says. | |
Reports by other media speak only of six children. | |
Wife 'unaware' | |
In the statement quoted by Reuters, Elisabeth said Joseph had provided her and three of her children, who were locked up with her, with clothing and food. | |
His wife Rosemarie had not been aware of what was going on, the statement adds. | |
A police spokesman quoted by Reuters said the 19-year-old girl, named as Kerstin F, was dropped off at the Amstetten hospital last weekend. | |
"The girl is seriously ill and is fighting for her life," the spokesman said. | |
The discovery of another Austrian woman, who was held captive in a cellar by an abductor for more than eight years, gripped the country in 2006. | The discovery of another Austrian woman, who was held captive in a cellar by an abductor for more than eight years, gripped the country in 2006. |
Natascha Kampusch finally escaped from her kidnapper, 44-year-old Wolfgang Priklopil, who killed himself shortly afterwards. | Natascha Kampusch finally escaped from her kidnapper, 44-year-old Wolfgang Priklopil, who killed himself shortly afterwards. |
Ms Kampusch was abducted at the age of 10 in 1998 and held in a small, windowless cellar beneath Priklopil's garage in the commuter town of Strasshof, 25km (15 miles) outside Vienna. | Ms Kampusch was abducted at the age of 10 in 1998 and held in a small, windowless cellar beneath Priklopil's garage in the commuter town of Strasshof, 25km (15 miles) outside Vienna. |