9-Year-Old Boy Rescued from Father's Van in Eastern France After Two Years of Confinement

A 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.