Eighth day of searches for two sisters missing from Abruzzo foster home as father accuses operators of negligence

An extended search across the Abruzzo park

Eight days after Alisya and Sarah Di Giacinto left the Ofh Hope foster home in Civitella Alfedena, no trace of the sisters has been found. Firefighters with divers, drones and molecular detection dogs have swept the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, focusing on Lake Barrea (especially near the two bridges), abandoned houses, caves and mountain paths. The search perimeter has grown beyond the village itself, now taking in Villetta Barrea, Opi, Villalago, Passo Godi and the roads toward Castel di Sangro and Avezzano.

Two investigations running in parallel

The Sulmona public prosecutor’s office has opened dual files: one for child abduction against unknown persons, and a second, added on 14 June, for child abandonment against the operators of the Ofh Hope community. The father, Stefano Di Giacinto, assisted by lawyer Francesco Riccardi, formally complained that the home lacked alarm and video-surveillance systems and that staff delayed alerting the family. The sisters’ room has been sealed and cameras in the town recorded several vehicles passing between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the night of the disappearance.

“It is absolutely not true that Alisya and Sarah did not want to see or hear from me. The Wednesday before their disappearance they contacted me via WhatsApp.”

A family split by court rulings

The girls entered the foster-care circuit three years ago after their parents’ turbulent separation. Alisya and Sarah were held in different facilities for about two years, and were reunited only one year ago in Civitella Alfedena. On 28 May the Cassino juvenile court revoked the mother’s parental responsibility — which had been suspended because of conflict — and returned it to the father. The mother, Valentina D’Acunto, later published letters in which the two teenagers wrote “Without you I can’t go on anymore,” and made a direct appeal to her daughters to make contact. The investigators are also examining the parents’ divorce ruling and are interviewing people close to the girls, including the mother’s adult boyfriend.

Eight days without a trace

Despite a round-the-clock rotation of civil protection, Carabinieri and volunteer teams, no physical sign of the girls has emerged. The canine unit’s dog “Italo” has repeatedly signalled a scent trail toward the mountains. On 15 June fresh canine teams were expected and the inter-force coordination was being reinforced. The prosecutor Stefano Iafolla said every hypothesis remains on the table, including voluntary departure, abduction or a tragic outcome.

“I filed a complaint against the foster home to understand if there was negligence. Precious time has been lost.”

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