Berlin’s Homeless Ray Identified
According to Ray, he was a 17-year-old who had lived in the forest with his father since his mother died 5 years ago.
He told authorities in Germany he slept in tents or caves until his father died. He then spent several days walking through the forest to find help.
Sound to far fetched to believe?
“Forest Boy” has been identified as 20-year-old Robin Van Helsum, a young Dutch father trying to escape responsibilities, from Hengelo.
Ray van Ravensberg, Robin’s childhood friend, shed new light on the Dutchman.
“His life was really complicated,” van Ravensberg said as he struggled to explain his friend.
“He doesn’t have anything like I do — he doesn’t have parents who will cover [him] if [he's] in financial debt, like I do. [My parents] will help me, I can talk to them.”
“It started with his own life. He already had complications, and it became more and more — financial, girlfriend, child and, yeah, his bucket was way too full.
“He just wanted to have a new bucket.”
Before he was identified, he received $25,000.00 in assistance for homeless people under 18 years of age. Berlin officials said the young man committed fraud and they want him to be prosecuted.
During his time in Germany he got free room and board, clothing, German lessons and £200 a month in pocket money.
“We will file a suit for fraudulent appropriation of youth benefits during the course of the week,” Ed Koch, spokesman for the district youth welfare office, said. “We’re going to demand this money back. Whether we ever see it again, we don’t know.”
‘Forest Boy’ Hoax Revealed
