A woman believed to have vanished as a teenager in 1998 has been discovered alive, having allegedly spent nearly three decades confined in her own home by her parents.

Mirela, now 42, was found in July this year by police responding to a disturbance at an apartment in the town of Swietochlowice, located in southern Poland. The case, however, only became public in October, after locals launched an online fundraiser to support her recovery.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found her locked inside a dimly lit room. She was visibly malnourished, frail, and in a critical state of health. According to medical professionals, she was only “days away from death” due to infections and untreated wounds. Mirela was immediately transported to a hospital where she has remained under care for more than two months.

Room Frozen in Time: Toys Still Scattered After 27 Years

The room where she was found shocked investigators. It contained childhood furniture, scattered toys, and had the appearance of being untouched for decades. Despite this, her mother claimed the toys were only there temporarily. “I will get rid of them, I just haven’t had time,” she reportedly said to the police.

Her parents had long told neighbours that their daughter had either gone missing or was living with her biological parents. For 27 years, these explanations went largely unquestioned. “It all started with voices coming from that flat. It was very late at night when we called the police,” said Luiza, a resident of the building.

What has horrified many is the sheer extent of Mirela’s isolation. According to those now supporting her, she was denied access to basic life experiences. A statement from the fundraiser described her devastating lack of exposure to the outside world: “She herself says that she has never even seen her city develop, that it is behind in everything, that she has missed out on so many things, she has never been to a doctor, never obtained an ID card, never gone for a simple walk or even to the balcony. She’s never been to a dentist or a hairdresser.”

Physicians treating her say her physical condition reflects years of severe neglect. Her teeth and hair are in such poor shape that they pose additional health risks. Due to the urgency of her condition, she is now receiving treatment from private clinics with help from public donations.

Criminal Probe Launched Into 27-Year Captivity Case

Authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the case. While the full details have not yet been released, officials are working to determine the legal responsibility of her parents and whether criminal charges will be pursued.

Initially, Mirela herself resisted help, reportedly telling police she did not require assistance, a reaction experts believe is evidence of the psychological toll inflicted by decades of captivity.

Neighbours are now trying to come to terms with what has happened. Many remembered Mirela as a bright and healthy girl before she seemingly vanished in the late 1990s. “People who knew Mirela thought she left her ‘family’ home almost 30 years ago. Unfortunately, the truth turned out to be different,” wrote one of the fundraiser’s organisers. “Much remains unknown, and several facts cannot be revealed at this stage. One thing is certain: the truth must come to light as to why this young, healthy 15-year-old stopped leaving her home and disappeared without a trace. It is unimaginable to spend so much time in one room.”

Mirela’s journey to recovery is only beginning, but the horror of her lost decades is sparking nationwide outrage, and calls for greater attention to hidden abuse happening behind closed doors.