French authorities are investigating an Indian couple for neglect after their three small children were found living in appalling conditions in their flat, reports the BBC.
An inquiry began after the mother's indifferent attitude to the birth of her baby girl on New Year's Day aroused suspicion among medical staff.
Social services found her brothers, aged two, five and six, living in the flat in a suburb of northern Paris.
It seems the boys had never left the flat in all their lives.
Sometimes I saw the father as I was leaving for work but I never saw the children”
The two eldest had developmental problems, could not speak properly and had difficulty walking, as well as being undernourished.
They had simple mattresses for beds and there was no furniture, let alone toys, a judicial source told French daily Liberation.
All four children were taken into care in February.
The father, 33, and the mother, aged 27, are in custody being investigated on suspicion of depriving their children of care - a charge which could see them jailed for seven years and fined 100,000 euros (£83,500; $138,000).
Read more of this report from the BBC.