Siberian 'Mowgli' Found: Boy, 20, Says Parents Abandoned Him in Woods After 16 Years (VIDEO)
Authorities are investigating a 20-year-old man who has allegedly been living in a Russian forest for more than 16 years.
The media has penned him the "Siberian Mowgli" because his story is remnant of the "Jungle Book." His real name has not yet been identified. But according to reports, "Mowgli" has been living in the forest since 1997, where he first moved with his parents after they decided to separate themselves from society.
According to local authorities, Mowgli said he was born in 1993. He allegedly left his forest hiding spot when his family appeared to abandon him this past May, according to the Independent. Fearing a harsh oncoming winter without any help, Mowgli walked to the Siberian village of Belokurikha, where he came across one woman who was willing to offer help. The woman took Mowgli to the local prosecutors office, where she thought he might find assistance.
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Officials said the boy could speak, albeit slowly, but he is lacking a formal education.
"He has got no education, doesn't have any social skills and has no conception of the world outside of the woods," Roman Fomin, a prosecutor in the town of Belokurikha in the Altay region, told the Associated Free Press.
Locals informed authorities that they believe the boy's parents departed for the island of Sakhalin, off Russia's Pacific Coast, an RT.com report said. The names of the parents have not yet been released, but authorities said if discovered, they likely will not face any charges.
"They only have criminal responsibility if some harm has been done to their child. The most obvious charge could be neglect or abuse, but we have no evidence of this," said the prosecutor. In addition, "Mowgli" has also identified himself as a legal adult although no birth records could be found to reveal his name or proper age.
