Nine-Year-Old Boy Rescued from Locked Van in Eastern France

A nine-year-old boy was rescued from a locked utility van in the village of Hagenbach, eastern France, on Monday, according to the local prosecutor's office. Police responded after a neighbor reported hearing sounds of a child from the vehicle. The child was found malnourished and unable to walk, and was subsequently hospitalized. His father has been detained and faces preliminary charges, including kidnapping.

The Rescue and Condition of the Child

On Monday, police in Hagenbach were alerted by a neighbor who reported hearing sounds of a child coming from a utility van. Upon forcing the vehicle open, officers found the boy inside.

• The child was described as lying in a fetal position, naked, and covered by a blanket.
• He was found on top of trash and near excrement.
• Authorities stated the boy was malnourished and had lost the ability to walk, which they attributed to prolonged confinement in a seated position.
• Following his rescue, the boy was hospitalized for medical care.

Statements from the Investigation

The local prosecutor, Nicolas Heitz, provided details from the ongoing investigation based on statements given to authorities.

The boy's father told investigators he placed the child in the van in November 2024. He stated this action was taken "to protect him," claiming his partner wanted to send the boy to a psychiatric hospital.

• The boy was seven years old at the time he was first confined.
• The prosecutor's office stated there is no medical record indicating the boy had psychiatric problems prior to his disappearance. It was also reported that the boy had good grades in school.
• The boy told investigators he had significant difficulties with his father's partner and believed his father "had no choice" but to lock him up. He stated he had not showered since 2024.

Legal Actions and Custody Arrangements

Following the rescue, French judicial authorities took several legal steps.

• The boy's father was detained. He has been handed preliminary charges of kidnapping and other offenses and remains in custody.
• The father's partner was handed preliminary charges, including failure to help a minor in danger. She was released under judicial supervision after denying knowledge that the boy was in the van.
• The boy's 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of his father's partner have been placed in the care of social services.

Ongoing Investigation and Context

The prosecutor's office is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the case.

• Investigators are examining whether other individuals were aware of the boy's confinement.
• According to the prosecutor's office, friends and family of the boy told investigators they believed he was in a psychiatric institution. His teachers were informed he had transferred to a different school.
• Authorities have not released the names of the victim or family members involved.
• The prosecutor declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
• Some residents of Hagenbach contacted by news agencies expressed surprise at the events and stated they were unaware of the boy's whereabouts.