In a shocking turn of events, a young boy, aged 9, has been rescued from a dire situation in eastern France. Authorities discovered him living in his father’s utility van, where he had been confined since 2024. The local prosecutor has reported that the child is now receiving medical attention, and his father has been taken into custody.
The incident came to light when a concerned neighbor reported hearing the sounds of a child emanating from the vehicle. This occurred in the village of Hagenbach, close to the Swiss and German borders. Prompted by the tip-off, police intervened on Monday, as detailed in a statement released by prosecutor Nicolas Heitz on Saturday.
Upon gaining access to the van, officers were greeted by a distressing scene. The boy was found curled up in a fetal position, naked, beneath a blanket atop a heap of trash and near excrement. He appeared severely malnourished and was unable to walk due to prolonged confinement in a seated posture.
The child’s father, during questioning, claimed he resorted to locking his son in the van in November 2024 as a means of “protection.” He alleged that his partner had intended to commit the then 7-year-old to a psychiatric facility. However, Heitz clarified that there was no evidence of any psychiatric issues prior to the boy’s disappearance. In fact, the child had been performing well academically.
The boy recounted to investigators his struggles with his father’s partner, feeling that his father had no option but to hide him away. He revealed that he had not bathed since 2024, painting a grim picture of his living conditions over the years.
The boy told investigators that he had “big difficulties” with his father’s partner and thought his father “had no choice” but to lock him up, according to the prosecutor. He said he hadn’t showered since 2024.
The father was handed preliminary kidnapping and other charges and kept in custody. His partner denied knowledge that the boy was in the van, according to the prosecutor. She was handed preliminary charges, including for failure to help a minor in danger, and released under judicial supervision.
The boy’s 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of his father’s partner were placed in the care of social services.
The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether others were aware of the boy’s detention.
Friends and family told investigators they thought the boy was in a psychiatric institution. His teachers were told he had transferred to a different school, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The authorities have not released the names of the victim or his relatives.
Hagenbach residents contacted by The Associated Press expressed shock on Saturday over the cases and said they were unaware of the boy’s whereabouts, but didn’t want to discuss details.
The prosecutor declined to comment further to AP pending further investigation.
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