Girl allegedly locked away for seven years by family in Germany

Authorities in Germany have launched an investigation after an eight-year-old girl's mother and grandparents allegedly locked her away for seven years.

During that time, prosecutors believe she had no contact with another person, never went to school, and never spent time outdoors.

She was freed from the house in Attendorn, in western Germany, at the end of September and is now in foster care.

There's no evidence that she was physically abused or malnourished, prosecutors say.

Welfare officials say she struggles with everyday tasks like climbing the stairs, while German reports say she had never seen a forest or a meadow.