While I wouldn't claim to know anything about Portugese law, I don't think British law applies in Portugal. Nevertheless, as Victor rightly says, they are undoubtedly guilty of willful neglect whether or not they have, or are going to be, charged with breaking any law. What they did was wrong, and in my opinion their so-called friends appear to have been accessories to that wrong-doing as well. I am amazed that the British social services have allowed them to continue 'looking after' their remaining children. I can only hope that the authorities here and in Portugal are in possession of more facts than are commonly available, and are acting accordingly.