Italy’s Court of Appeal in L’Aquila has rejected an appeal by a family contesting a minor children’s continued placement in a care home. The family’s lawyer, Simone Pillon, said the court confirmed the validity of a technical assessment and upheld a juvenile court order, including the decision to ignore allegations about health risks linked to the children’s time in the care facility. The defence also raised issues about parents’ right to freely choose the children’s schooling, but the Court of Appeal did not accept those observations. It also did not consider case-law arguments raised by the defence on keeping placements outside the family as a residual option, and on the need for a clearly indicated duration. Pillon announced that the defence will file an appeal to Italy’s Court of Cassation on these points and others. The Court of Appeal, however, confirmed a gradual “return plan” already in place. The lawyer said the children are happy to spend weekends and in-person visits with their mother and father, while waiting for a definitive return.