Italian Parents Drop Charges Against Son Battling Cocaine Addiction | Pesaro, Italy

PESARO, Italy – A Pesaro court opened proceedings Wednesday in the case of a 30-year-old man accused of maltrreatment and attempted extortion, even as his parents, who initially reported him to authorities, have withdrawn their formal complaint. The case stems from a long struggle with cocaine addiction that led the parents to seek legal intervention in an attempt to compel their son to seek treatment.

The situation escalated in October when the man was arrested for violating a restraining order preventing him from contacting his parents, according to court documents. For two years prior to his arrest, he had been unemployed and repeatedly requested money from his parents to fund his drug habit, becoming increasingly agitated when denied, officials said.

In a desperate attempt to help their son, the parents filed a police report, a difficult decision they made hoping it would force him into a detoxification program. Following the complaint, a court issued a restraining order barring him from approaching his parents. However, the man allegedly continued to seek funds, culminating in his arrest on Saturday after again appearing at his parents’ home and requesting money. The parents then contacted the Carabinieri, leading to his detention for violating the restraining order.

Despite admitting to causing distress and expressing desperation over his addiction, the man remains in custody facing charges of maltrreatment and attempted extortion. Yesterday, at the opening of the trial, his parents informed the court of their decision to retract their initial complaint.

Luca Piscaglia, the man’s attorney, has requested a psychiatric evaluation, noting that a previous evaluation had been conducted in another related case. The court has granted the request, scheduling the psychiatric examination for May 11th and postponing further proceedings until May 19th.

The case highlights a growing concern within the region, as evidenced by a separate incident reported in September 2025, where an 81-year-old man from Montegranaro pleaded for help with his son’s decades-long struggle with drug addiction. That father described nightly disturbances and constant demands for money, mirroring the situation unfolding in Pesaro.

Recent reports likewise indicate attempts to smuggle drugs into the Pesaro prison, revealing a broader challenge in controlling substance access within correctional facilities.