Laura Mongelli: Held Captive, Abused, and R-ped by Father for 28 Years

Laura Mongelli (a name given to the victim by Italian media) suffered 25 devastating years locked inside a dark dungeon without electricity as her father repeatedly raped her and her parents and seven siblings sat back and watched. One of her siblings joined their father in the attacks.

On January 27, 2012, the horror came to an end after authorities arrested 63-year-old Michele Mongelli of Turin, Italy, and 41-year-old Giuseppe Mongelli, on allegations the men had raped Laura.

Michele groomed his son to rape Laura. He found sick satisfaction knowing he taught his son the who, what, and why of taking what he wanted.

Giuseppe also sexually abused his own children, ages 6, 8, 12, and 20.

Police found Laura in the darkened room during a welfare check after receiving a report from a concerned neighbor.

The media dubbed Mongelli the “Italian Fritzl” (referring to the Josef and Elisabeth Fritzl case.)

Laura received little formal education while locked away in the dungeon in her family’s home, where she had been since age 9. She could leave the room only in the company of her father.

Fifteen years before her rescue, Laura escaped from the room and fled the home. She sought help from the police, but they made the situation worse. Officers took Laura home, never questioning Michele’s story when he claimed his daughter was “delusional” and out of her mind.

Police set up wiretaps that recorded conversations between Laura and Michele that confirmed the abuse. One of the most disturbing recordings captured Michele raping his daughter.

Several audio recordings captured Giuseppe making sexual requests to his children and Laura.

In a statement to police, Laura said: "From when I was aged nine my father forced me to suffer sexual acts, touching my private parts, kissing me on the mouth, and from age 16 onwards forcing me to have full sexual intercourse with him."

Caterina Mongelli, Michele’s wife, initially defended her husband after his arrest, stating publicly,

“None of this is true. It’s all lies. My husband is in jail for something he didn’t do. He only kept her inside because he was worried about her. Any father would do the same.”

In May 2012, Mongelli received a 10-year prison sentence while Giuseppe received nine years.

Sources:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5063150/Italian-Fritzl-and-his-son-accused-of-raping-and-controlling-daughters.html

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/europe/italian-fritzl-was-known-to-police-and-social-workers-1656647.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/joseffritzl/5066402/Italian-Fritzl-Police-listened-in-as-suspect-raped-his-daughter.html

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