A family’s attempt to remain together has been met with what legal representatives are calling a “disumane” application of a court order. The case centers around Nathan Trevallion and Catherine Birmingham, and the removal of their three children from their care.
Despite having time on Friday to explain the situation to the children without exposing them to the painful scene of their mother leaving with a suitcase, authorities proceeded with “absolute indifference” to the children’s emotional well-being, according to attorney Danila Solinas.
“Social worker Veruska D’Angelo and a coordinator we had never seen before were locked in their office all day,” Solinas explained. “When, around 6:30 p.m., I asked them when they intended to carry out the removal of the mother, they told me ‘today, now.’ My concern was, ‘Have the children been informed?’ They hadn’t even considered the question.”
Catherine Birmingham resisted leaving, refusing to leave her children. Eventually, she began packing her belongings. When the children realized what was happening, they reacted with crying or a disturbing silence. The eldest child developed a fever, and her screams were described as agonizing. At 9:20 p.m., Nathan Trevallion arrived and drove his wife away from the facility.
“The children discovered the reality of the separation dramatically and had heartbreaking reactions,” stated psychiatrist Tonino Cantelmi, a consultant for the couple’s defense. “These are scenes that generate enormous damage. What surprises me is the unempathetic, unmediated way professionals decided to remove the mother, without even considering the traumatic impact on the children.”
Cantelmi added that only Catherine’s 81-year-traditional mother, Pauline, and her aunt Rachel were able to offer any comfort to the children.
According to Solinas, Catherine is now in Palmoli, still in shock. “On Friday, she had the strength to answer more than 500 questions, knowing about the order that was notified on the day of the evaluation, and to leave the facility as requested. She wasn’t being difficult; I don’t know how I would have behaved in her place, with such shameful treatment,” the attorney exclaimed. “D’Angelo even threatened to call the police if the woman didn’t leave the facility voluntarily.”
The uncertainty now lies in when the children will be moved, as ordered by the court. They are reportedly going to a facility in Scerne di Pineto, and there are fears they may be separated. “This morning (Saturday, March 7, 2026, for readers) I was assured that the children were not being moved from Vasto, but the social workers are worried about journalists and video footage, so I fear they won’t move during the day,” the attorney added. If the fresh foster home is indeed in the coastal fraction near Teramo, Trevallion will face a four-hour round trip to visit his children. And what about Catherine?
The court order, described by Solinas as “reprehensible in every respect – legal, factual, reconstructive” – makes no mention of arrangements for the mother to see her children. Solinas, along with attorney Marco Femminella, will file an appeal with the Court of Appeal of L’Aquila on Monday, requesting a suspension of the removal order so Catherine can remain with her children until all required evaluations are completed.
On Saturday, many people responded to a call for a silent torchlight vigil outside the Genova Rulli welcome home in Vasto, which has housed the three children since November. Participants brought stuffed animals and sweets as gifts, which were refused by the facility’s staff. Numerous signs expressed outrage and condemned what many see as a relentless pursuit against the “family in the woods.” Slogans included “Children home with their parents. Stop abuse of minors under 6. Shame.”
Carola Profeta, head of the Family Department of the League in Abruzzo, who also attended the vigil, wrote on social media: “The family home where the children and mother were staying is owned by the Diocese of Chieti-Vasto. As a Christian, I inquire the bishop, Monsignor Bruno Forte, to speak out on the matter and ask him if it is normal for Church property to be used to break up families.”
Profeta defined Catherine Birmingham’s removal from her children as “yet another crime of the state. Another one because since 2020 I have been denouncing the Bibbiano d’Abruzzo situation. The approach of the Juvenile Court of L’Aquila is absolutely unacceptable and unworthy of a civilized country.” According to the League representative, “President Cecilia Angrisano, registered with Cismai, the Italian Coordination of Services against Mistreatment and Abuse of Children, has set up a system of continuous removal of minors to the detriment of parents who may have had difficulties, but the family must be helped and not broken up as has happened with the Trevallions.”
Profeta announced: “Tomorrow (Sunday, March 8, 2026, for readers) I will go to Palmoli and ask Nathan and Catherine to make an appeal with me to President Sergio Mattarella, who, as head of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, whereas he cannot revoke the order, can still offer moral persuasion suggesting that the magistrates take a step back.” The head of the Family Department hopes the attempt will be successful, even though she is the first to doubt it “given the coincidence with the referendum on justice. What message would it be if the President of the CSM asked a judge to take a step back?”
