A father who is divorced and has two young sons was discovered wandering in the countryside after his children were reportedly left by their mother. The father expressed that the boys will need to reconstruct their lives. The mother, Marine Rousseau, aged 41, and her partner Marc Ballabriga, aged 55, were apprehended by authorities after allegedly abandoning the children, aged three and five, in the woods.
The kids were found distressed and in tears by a local baker near Alcacer do Sal, Portugal. They have been placed in temporary care until arrangements are finalized for their return to France. The father, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed his constant vigilance for a call from Portuguese officials informing him to retrieve his children.
In an interview with French TV channel Ici Alsace TV, the father shared his emotional turmoil, stating his unwavering focus on reuniting with his children. He emphasized the need for the boys to rebuild their lives, drawing parallels to his own journey post-divorce. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the impact it has had on his family.
The father divorced Rousseau two years ago and currently has limited supervised visitation rights. Rousseau and Ballabriga were brought before a court in Setubal, where Rousseau was observed singing to herself before the proceedings commenced. Both individuals face charges of child abandonment and endangerment, with Ballabriga facing an additional accusation of aggravated assault. They have been remanded in pre-trial detention until their next court appearance.