Nine-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Being Locked in Van Since 2024 in Eastern France
A nine-year-old boy was rescued in the village of Hagenbach in eastern France after being locked in his father's van for over a year.
Authorities intervened following a neighbour's report of sounds coming from the vehicle.
Police found the boy in a severely malnourished state, lying naked in a foetal position on a pile of trash and near excrement inside the van.
The child was unable to walk due to prolonged confinement.
The boy's 43-year-old father has been charged with sequestration and arbitrary detention of a minor, as well as depriving the child of adequate food and medical care.
The father claimed he kept the boy locked since November 2024 to protect him from his 37-year-old partner, who allegedly wanted the child to receive psychiatric care.
The boy reportedly received food twice daily and had access to water, but had not showered since late 2024.
He was forced to urinate in plastic bottles and defecate in bin bags.
The father stated that his partner was unaware of the boy's confinement.
The couple lived in an apartment block with the boy's siblings, including a 12-year-old sister and a 10-year-old half-sister.
The three children have been placed in temporary care pending a children's court decision.
The father's partner faces charges of non-assistance to a minor in danger and failure to report mistreatment.
