Mauerova Family

A chilling tale of child abuse and manipulation tied to a cult-like group in the Czech Republic.


The Mauerova family case, a chilling episode of abuse and manipulation in the Czech Republic, came to light in 2007 when a neighbor’s baby monitor accidentally captured distressing images of a young boy in a cellar. This revelation exposed the severe mistreatment inflicted on Klara Mauerova’s two sons, Ondrej and Jakub, by Klara, her sister Katerina, and Barbora Skrlova, who deceptively posed as a 13-year-old girl.

The abuse was discovered in Klara’s home, where the boys were kept in a cement cellar, shackled, and subjected to horrific conditions, including physical beatings, burning, starvation, and psychological torment. Ondrej had been withdrawn from school under the pretense of having hearing issues and was confined and tortured in their home, often chained and denied basic hygiene. Both boys were constantly recorded, living in complete darkness and squalor, which led to long-lasting psychological trauma.

Barbora Skrlova, a central figure in this case, initially masqueraded as Klara’s adopted daughter “Annika” but was actually a 33-year-old woman with a glandular disease that made her appear much younger. Skrlova’s involvement was not only deep in the physical abuse but also included her fleeing to Norway, where she assumed a new identity as a young boy, before being extradited back to the Czech Republic to face trial.

The case also hinted at the influence of fringe religious groups, particularly an offshoot of the Grail Movement. Although the court did not definitively prove the group’s direct involvement, it was suggested that the abuse was committed under the guidance of this cult-like group in a misguided quest for spiritual enlightenment. A mysterious figure known only as “the Doctor”, speculated to be connected to Skrlova’s father, was thought to have directed some of the abuses via text messages.

The trial of Klara and Katerina Mauerova, along with Barbora Skrlova and other family members, revealed the extent of their cruelty and resulted in their convictions, although the sentences—ranging from five to ten years—were perceived by many as lenient considering the severity of the abuse.

This disturbing case not only highlighted the dark potential for abuse within secretive, cult-like groups but also exposed significant lapses in community child protection. The exploitation and manipulation of children under the guise of religious or spiritual practices in the Mauerova family case remain a stark reminder of the horrific potential for human cruelty.

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