An investigation by the police is ongoing in southern France following the discovery of five infant remains inside a family apartment after the birth of another baby.
The inquiry was initiated when a 32-year-old man found what seemed to be human remains while searching his home in Orange, where he lived with his partner. The find occurred shortly after she had given birth at home before being hospitalized.
Prosecutors have verified that four infant skeletal remains and the decomposing body of a fifth newborn were recovered from the couple’s residence in the historic center of the town. An investigation into the “murder of a minor under the age of 15” has been launched, while forensic examinations are in progress.
The partner of the woman became alarmed upon discovering, very late in the pregnancy, that she had given birth at home before being taken to the hospital. The man expressed disturbance at the late revelation of his partner’s home birth the day before hospitalization.
Following the discovery, the man promptly informed Orange hospital, which then alerted prosecutors, leading to a police search of the property. A forensic pathologist’s preliminary assessment confirmed the recovery of four infant skeletons and the decomposing body of a fifth baby.
An autopsy has been ordered for the newborn’s body, while specialists will conduct anthropological examinations on the skeletal remains to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The woman, aged 32, who had recently delivered a healthy baby after concealing her pregnancy, remained in the hospital and was later taken into police custody on July 29. The investigation is now under the jurisdiction of the Avignon prosecutor’s office.
The woman’s partner, also 32, cooperated with investigators early in the inquiry, claiming he was unaware of his partner’s pregnancies. He was subsequently released without charges.
The couple, who have two children aged eight and nine, are being assessed by Child Welfare Services. The newborn boy born on Sunday has been placed in temporary care pending a hearing before a juvenile court judge.
The family resided on the second floor of a building near Orange’s ancient Roman theatre. By Tuesday morning, police seals indicating “murder of a minor under the age of 15” were affixed to their apartment door.
Neighbors expressed shock at the investigation, describing the family as “charming people” who had moved into the building around two years ago. They recalled normal interactions with the family, such as picking children up from school and going to work.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five infants. Prosecutors mentioned that the legal classification might change as additional forensic evidence is examined.
This case has drawn parallels to past infanticide investigations in France, notably the case of Dominique Cottrez, convicted of killing eight newborn babies in 2010. Cottrez was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2015 after the court acknowledged her impaired judgment.