The Real Reason This Boy Was Raised Alone In A Dark Room For 10 Years

In the 1820s, the jaw of a German policeman dropped when an unexpected visitor appeared. It was a boy who claimed that he'd been imprisoned almost his entire life. His story seemed outlandish, yet his own body was evidence of some sort of grim predicament. The public became fascinated with this mystery and spun elaborate theories about who the boy really was. But only recently has a DNA test confirmed his true identity.

Strange Sight

On May 26, 1828, a silhouette was seen stumbling and shuffling down a street in Nuremberg, Germany. To anyone who saw him, they might have thought the individual was drunk. One shoemaker thought so. Georg Weickmann approached the figure, hoping to help.

Appearance

The boy was short, standing at 4'8" with broad shoulders. His feet were torn and bloody, as if he'd made a long journey without proper footwear. The shoemaker judged him to be about 16 years old, though it was hard to tell. Weickmann then noticed something else. Of two letters the boy was holding, one had an address. Would taking the boy there reunite him with his relatives?

Bitter Meal

Once the two arrived at the residency of Captain von Wessenig, they learned the captain was out. The servants attempted to offer a meal to the boy. Upon tasting beer and sausage, the boy had an outburst, repulsed by what it tasted like. Any attempts to get the boy to speak, were futile as well. Then Captain von Wessenig arrived.

Horse!

The captain had no idea who the boy was. His social cues were limited. Allegedly, he had a vaccination mark on his arm, a potential sign of being in the upper class. With little other choice, the boy was brought to the police. One officer produced a coin that captured the boy's full attention. Transfixed by the ordinary coin, the stranger excitedly shouted, "Horse!"