An event that has shocked the city of Durrës and public opinion was announced yesterday, January 11, 2026, when three minor children were found inside an apartment in disturbing conditions and without supervision, for which the police initiated criminal proceedings against their mother, a 33-year-old woman.
According to the official announcement of the Durrës Local Police Directorate, crime investigation specialists at the "Plazh" Police Station referred the materials to the Prosecutor's Office, as the citizen with the initials BB, 33 years old, is suspected of having committed the criminal offense of "Maltreatment of minors" by leaving her three children alone in the apartment, unattended for a period of time.
The police complaint was filed by the 33-year-old's ex-mother-in-law, citizen DV, who stated that her ex-daughter-in-law had left her three children locked in the apartment. The case was also made public on social media before the authorities intervened.
Immediately after the report, the police services cooperated with the Child Protection Office, took the three minors under protection and sent them to the Durrës Regional Hospital for health examinations. The children were then taken into the care of the Durrës Child Protection Center.
The reaction of the children's mother
In a phone call to Report TV, on the show "Today Live in Albania", the 33-year-old categorically denied that she abandoned her children. She argued that:
- She did not abandon her children, but left them alone due to work obligations, working as a bartender to provide income for the family.
- She claims that the denunciation is "a trap" by her ex-mother-in-law, who according to her has influenced her children to speak against her and has created false allegations.
- The children are not sick with scabies, but a month ago they had a skin infection, which caused them to miss two weeks of school.
- She and her ex-husband have been living separately for more than 5 years and the only assistance she receives from him is the sum of 180 thousand old lek.
The children's grandmother's reaction
In a video call for "Albania Live" on Top Channel, the 33-year-old's ex-mother-in-law said that she found her grandchildren in very difficult living conditions, with wounds on their bodies and affected by scabies due to the dirt, expressing that the sight of the children deeply shocked her and prompted her to intervene.
- She said that after the video from the apartment was published, the bride threatened to report her and her friends for releasing the footage, while also threatening her son, blaming him for publishing the videos.
- The ex-mother-in-law emphasized that the children had not been to school for months without the family's knowledge, that the father and she herself had regularly provided financial assistance to them, and announced that she would pursue the case in court to gain custody of the grandchildren, adding that she could not leave for Italy, where she lives, leaving the children in that condition.
- Finally, she said that the children are currently in the hospital receiving the necessary help for the scabies that she says has affected the minors.
The reaction of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection issued an official announcement confirming the intervention of state institutions. According to the ministry:
- The State Social Service, the police and health services took the situation into consideration after being alerted by the media and family members.
- The three children were taken to the hospital, where they are under the care of doctors, with the provision of necessary food and clothing.
- The Ministry announced that the Intersectoral Technical Group will also meet to establish further child protection measures, ensure their long-term well-being, and assess the social and legal circumstances of the case.
