Unbiased AI-powered news
A 9-year-old boy was rescued from his father's utility van in Hagenbach, eastern France, where he had been locked since November 2024. The child was malnourished and unable to walk due to prolonged confinement. The father faces preliminary kidnapping charges, and his partner has been charged with failing to assist a minor in danger.
NBC NewsA 9-year-old boy was rescued on Monday from a utility van in the village of Hagenbach, eastern France, near the borders with Switzerland and Germany. Police responded to a neighbor's report of sounds coming from the vehicle. The boy had been confined in the van since November 2024, when he was 7 years old.
The child was found without clothing, in a fetal position under a blanket, amid refuse and human waste. He was severely malnourished and had lost the ability to stand or walk due to extended time in a sitting position. The boy was hospitalized following the rescue.
The father told investigators he locked the boy in the van for protection after his partner sought to have the child admitted to a psychiatric facility. No medical documentation indicated the boy had any mental health conditions prior to his confinement. The child had been performing well academically before disappearing.
The father was detained and faces preliminary charges of kidnapping.
His partner, who lived with him, denied knowledge of the boy's presence in the van and was charged with failing to provide assistance to a minor in danger and not reporting mistreatment. She was released under judicial supervision. Investigators are examining whether others knew of the situation.
Family members and acquaintances believed the boy was receiving psychiatric treatment, and his school was told he had transferred to another institution. The boy told authorities he experienced difficulties with his father's partner and believed his father had no choice but to confine him. He had not bathed or showered since 2024.
A 12-year-old sister of the boy and the partner's 10-year-old daughter were placed in social services care.
Local prosecutor Nicolas Heitz issued a statement on Saturday detailing the findings. The case came to light after the neighbor alerted police on Monday.
Al JazeeraIranian negotiators left Switzerland after 18 hours of talks with U.S. counterparts. Tehran said progress was made on oil export waivers and asset releases, while oil prices fell.
pbs.orgU.S. and Iranian officials said they made significant progress during all-night talks in Switzerland aimed at ending a four-month conflict. The two sides stated they are working to finalize a deal within two months.
EuronewsAustralian authorities uncovered the country's largest cocaine shipment on a Londonderry property on June 19. Two men face charges after the 816 million Australian dollar haul was traced to a boat landing in Queensland.