90: Trapped: Man Kept Family in Secret Room For Years Waiting For The End Of The World
Heart Starts Pounding: Horrors, Hauntings and Mysteries
Deep Dive
Why did Harit van Dorsten keep his family in isolation?
Harit believed he was the second coming of Christ and responsible for building God's world on Earth, which he referred to as Eden. He isolated his family to protect them from the 'evil influence of the outside world' and to keep them focused on their mission.
How did Harit van Dorsten justify the abuse he inflicted on his children?
Harit believed in a system where children were 'under' the influence of evil spirits. He used physical and psychological abuse to 'cleanse' them of these spirits, often isolating them for extended periods and subjecting them to severe punishments.
What role did Joseph play in the family's isolation?
Joseph was a handyman and friend of Harit who helped facilitate the family's isolation. He built secret extensions and nooks for the children to be isolated in, managed the family's supplies, and installed security measures to keep the family hidden from the outside world.
How did Israel finally break free from his father's control?
Israel used a secret computer to connect with the outside world and eventually bought a smartphone to contact authorities. After months of planning, he sneaked out of the farmhouse and sought help from a local pub, leading to his rescue by the police.
What was the aftermath of Israel's escape for the family?
The police raided the farmhouse, arrested Harit and Joseph, and placed the remaining siblings in protective custody. Harit was later released due to his inability to stand trial, but was eventually relocated to a state-run facility after further allegations of misconduct. Joseph was sentenced to three years in prison for imprisonment.
How did Israel's relationship with his siblings evolve after his escape?
Israel initially feared alienation from his siblings, but eventually reconciled with them. Some younger siblings continued to adhere to their father's beliefs, but Israel maintained a good relationship with all of them and focused on rebuilding his life, studying sociology, and pursuing writing.
- Israel walked into a pub in Ruinerwold and revealed he had been kept underground for 9 years.
- The bartender called the police, initiating the investigation into the family's situation.
- Israel's story is unlike any other, involving a family who thought they were the last people on Earth.
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