After hours of questioning at the Local Police headquarters on Via Pietro Custodi, the four children aged between 11 and 13 who were in the stolen car that struck and killed Cecilia De Astis on Tuesday evening were returned to their mothers. One child’s father is in prison, while the fathers of the others are untraceable. This morning, the families left the Roma settlement on Via Selvanesco, which other residents also decided to vacate temporarily due to the intense media attention, but later returned.
The Milan Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office is currently assessing the minors’ situations for potential non-penal measures, expected soon. Due to their age, they cannot face criminal charges; instead, civil measures like placement in care facilities are being considered.
The four children, born in Italy to Roma families (including one girl), reportedly admitted to police that they stole everything possible from a French tourist’s car. Upon finding spare keys among the stolen items, they decided to go back and take the vehicle itself. On Monday, they began the ill-fated joyride that ended on Via Saponaro, where Cecilia De Astis was struck and killed.
Police searching the caravans in the private area of Via Selvanesco where the minors lived found stolen goods from the car, including Pokemon t-shirts they had purchased. These shirts proved essential for their identification.
Measures against the parents are also possible for failing to fulfill their legal obligations towards their minor children.
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