9-Year-Old Boy Rescued from Father's Utility Van in Eastern France After 1.5 Years

A 9-year-old boy was rescued on Monday from his father's utility van in the village of Hagenbach, eastern France, near the borders of Switzerland and Germany. Local police responded to a neighbor's report of sounds from the van. The boy had been locked inside since 2024.

Police forced open the van and found the boy lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on a mound of trash and near excrement. The child was malnourished and unable to walk due to prolonged time in a seated position. He was immediately hospitalized for treatment.

The father's partner denied knowledge of the boy's presence in the van. She received preliminary charges for failure to help a minor in danger and was released under judicial supervision.

The boy's 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of the father's partner were placed in the care of social services.

Inquiry The prosecutor's office is investigating whether others knew about the boy's situation.

Friends and family reported to investigators that they believed the boy was in a psychiatric institution. Teachers were informed that he had transferred to another school. Authorities have not released the names of the boy or family members.

Village residents contacted by The Associated Press on Saturday expressed shock and stated they were unaware of the boy's whereabouts. The case highlights child welfare issues in the region, with social services now involved in supporting the affected children.

The inquiry continues to determine the full extent of awareness among the community and family network.