9-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Being Held Captive in Van in Eastern France

France. The local community is in shock after the rescue of a 9-year-old boy who had been held in inhumane conditions in a village in eastern France for nearly two years. Found locked inside a utility van by his own father since 2024, the boy was immediately hospitalized due to severe malnutrition and physical weakness.

According to local prosecutor Nicolas Hetz, police were alerted on Monday after neighbors in the village of Hagenbach, near the Swiss and German borders, heard a 'child's voice.' Security forces arrived at the scene and forcibly opened the van to find the boy in a deplorable state.

The prosecutor stated that the boy was found curled in a fetal position, naked, dirty, and covered by a blanket near his own excrement. Due to being confined in the same position for a long time, he is unable to walk and appears clearly malnourished. The boy reported that he had not been able to bathe since 2024.

During the investigation, the boy's father admitted to placing him in the van in November 2024. He claimed he took this action because his partner wanted the then-seven-year-old boy sent to a mental hospital. However, the prosecutor clarified that there are no medical records proving the boy had any mental health issues, and he was a high-performing student at school.

The prosecutor's office stated that in his statement to investigators, the boy mentioned having 'great difficulty' with his father's partner, claiming his father had no other option but to lock him away.

Police have initially detained the boy's father on charges including kidnapping. The father's partner has claimed she was unaware the boy was in the van. She has been preliminarily charged with failing to assist a minor in danger and has been released under judicial supervision.

In connection with this incident, the boy's 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of the father's partner have been placed under social services protection. The prosecutor's office stated it is further investigating whether anyone else knew about the boy's long-term captivity.

During the investigation, the boy's friends and relatives stated they believed he was in a mental health institution. School teachers were also informed that the boy had transferred to another school.

Following the incident, local residents of Hagenbach have expressed deep sorrow. While they stated they were unaware of the boy's condition, they have declined to comment further on the details of the event.

Authorities have kept the identities of the victim and his family members confidential. The prosecutor has refused to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.