One of the most shocking child-neglect cases in Europe involved a 9-year-old boy who survived alone for two years after being abandoned by his mother. She moved in with her partner just 5 km away, visiting only occasionally while leaving the boy to care for himself. He lived without heating, hot water, or proper meals—surviving mostly on cake, canned food, and whatever rations he could find in the house. Despite the neglect, the boy continued attending school daily, performed well academically,