Teenager’s Harrowing Halloween Kidnapping Exposes Growing ‘Baby Gang’ Violence in Italy
A 15-year-old boy’s terrifying ordeal – kidnapped, tortured, and abandoned after a night of brutality on Halloween – has laid bare the escalating problem of youth violence perpetrated by so-called “baby gangs” across Italy. The incident, which unfolded in the Turin region, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for action to address the root causes of this disturbing trend.
The young man arrived at the Carabinieri barracks in Turin at 1pm on November 1st, visibly traumatized. “He was wet from head to foot, shaking, his sweatshirt soaked,” according to reports. He had recently emerged from the Dora River, his head partially shaved, and his gaze reflected the terror of the night he had endured. His mother, providing unwavering support, urged him to recount the events to authorities: “Tell everything.”
The boy detailed a harrowing experience, reconstructing the story three times for investigators with remarkable clarity. He revealed that two classmates lured him to an apartment in Turin under the guise of a Halloween night gathering. Once inside, his phone was confiscated, and he was immediately locked in a bathroom for hours. The ordeal escalated into physical and psychological torture.
“They shaved me, beat me and then threw me into the river with my bare chest,” he told investigators. “They spat on me from the bridge. And then they left me at the station.” The young man’s account described being forced into the frigid Dora River – the water temperature just above freezing – while threatened with a screwdriver. Witnesses reported seeing the tram number 4 pass overhead as he was subjected to abuse from the bridge.
The perpetrators, identified as minors the same age as the victim, are reportedly part of a “baby gang” operating in the municipalities of Moncalieri, Nichelino, and Trofarello, south of Turin. Authorities are familiar with the group, which has a history of violence and preys on vulnerable individuals. These gangs, comprised of young people with existing issues with the law, are increasingly targeting those who appear defenseless.
The incident began when the 15-year-old accepted an invitation from a classmate to spend Halloween night together, deviating from his original plan to visit his grandfather. This seemingly innocuous decision quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Upon arriving at the unfamiliar apartment, he found himself isolated with his schoolmate and another friend, without any adult supervision.
The mother of the victim described the extent of the brutality inflicted upon her son. “These monsters tortured him,” she stated. “They beat him and threatened him with a screwdriver. They shaved him, leaving only a few tufts of hair, then they took a razor blade and also shaved his eyebrows, making cuts on the eyelid.”
After being abandoned at Porta Nuova station, the young man was finally able to contact his mother, who rushed to meet him and accompany him to the authorities. “I was heartened when he called me because I was finally able to hear from him,” she said, “But when I saw him it was a shock, my heart stopped. Why all this nastiness at this age? I thank God that he is alive but I want justice.”
Police have filed a formal complaint and forwarded the case to the Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators are now analyzing surveillance footage, examining telephone records, and interviewing witnesses to gather further evidence and identify all those involved. This case underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing threat of youth violence and protect vulnerable young people from the predatory behavior of these “baby gangs.”
