French Authorities Rescue 9-Year-Old Boy Confined in Van Since 2024
A 9-year-old boy was rescued from his father's van in eastern France, where he had been confined since 2024, leading to the arrest of his father and an ongoing investigation.
In Hagenbach, a village near the borders of Switzerland and Germany, police rescued a 9-year-old boy who had been confined in his father's utility van since November 2024. The rescue occurred after a neighbor reported hearing "sounds of a child" emanating from the vehicle.
Upon entering the van, officers discovered the child lying naked in a fetal position atop a mound of trash and near excrement. The boy was malnourished and unable to walk due to prolonged confinement.
The father informed investigators that he confined the child to protect him from his partner's intention to admit him to a psychiatric hospital. However, authorities found no medical records indicating psychiatric issues prior to the boy's disappearance.
The father faces preliminary charges, including kidnapping, and remains in custody. His partner, who denied knowledge of the boy's confinement, has been charged with failure to assist a minor in danger and released under judicial supervision.
The boy's 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of the father's partner have been placed in the care of social services. Authorities are investigating whether others were aware of the boy's situation, as friends and family believed he was in a psychiatric institution, and teachers were informed he had transferred schools.
Residents of Hagenbach expressed shock over the incident, stating they were unaware of the boy's whereabouts. The prosecutor has declined further comment pending the ongoing investigation.