A child, aged nine, was rescued after being confined in a narrow storage cupboard for 15 days in France. Police discovered the youngster at a residence in Mérindol, Vaucluse, on May 22, and the stepfather was taken into custody.
Concerned by the child’s well-being, an anonymous individual notified the authorities, revealing that the boy was continuously punished and excluded from family activities by his mother, stepfather, and three brothers, according to neighbors interviewed by France 3 Provence-Alpes.
Acting on the tip-off, law enforcement officers visited the family’s modest home in the village of 2,000 residents, where they located the boy. The public prosecutor of Avignon, Stéphanie Aouine, disclosed that the child was confined in a cramped room, resembling a storage closet, without a mattress and only equipped with a basin for toiletry and some shelves. The prosecutor mentioned that despite the presence of shelves, the child could stand up in the confined space.
Authorities believe that the child had been locked inside for the entire duration of 15 days, possibly starting from the beginning of May. Ms. Aouine stated that investigations are ongoing into the child’s daily routine and living conditions, including meals, outings, and school attendance. While the child attended school, it is alleged that he was not allowed to go outside or take showers at home.