In a tiny town in the Empoli region of Italy, a father has not been able to see or hear from his daughter in over 2 years; in fact he hasn't been suspected of a crime or wrongdoing he has fallen victim to a legal system that continues to act as though he is a threat after being exonerated of an allegation of abuse.
The story began in August 2023 when - after almost a decade together - his partner abandoned the house, stole their then 6 year-old daughter, and made a report of domestic violence. The claim amounted to serious allegations of abuse, and as a result of the serious allegations, a full police investigation was initiated; his cell phone was seized, devices were checked, bank records were scrutinized, and witnesses were interviewed.
In a court of law, after two years of investigation, the lawyer reported that "there was nothing -" nothing after two years of scrutiny. In July 25, 2025, the case file was closed and he was declared innocent of the charges which at one time appeared to gave rapidly led to an irreversible conclusion.
And still... the father has not been allowed to see his child at all - not even under supervision.
He did everything asked of him by the court, including 19 sessions with mental health professionals. However, the authorities claim that the child is now suffering from "post-traumatic stress," and that she is not "ready" to meet him, despite the lack of evidence that he harmed her in any way.
He has tendered an argument that the decision is a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures a child's right to access to both parents. The man tried everything: appeals, letters, therapy - while he never had a clue where his daughter was.
To make things worse, after the courts declared him innocent, he alleges that his ex-wife went on national television and broadcasted edited audio snippets of him, which then led to online harassment and threats.
So, here he is - legally innocent, emotionally wrecked, and fully estranged from his daughter. He has been granted absolutely no visits. No phone calls. No updates.
Only silence.
"They've made my daughter fatherless, while I am not dead - and innocent," he declares, holding a stack of stamped court papers that show just that.
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