An investigation by the police is ongoing in the southern region of France following the discovery of the remains of five infants inside a family apartment following the birth of another baby.
The inquiry was initiated after a 32-year-old man found what appeared to be human remains while searching his residence in Orange, where he lived with his partner. The discovery occurred soon after she gave birth at home before being hospitalized.
Authorities have confirmed that officers found the skeletal remains of four infants and the decomposing body of a fifth newborn in the couple’s flat in the town’s historic center. The investigation is focused on the “murder of a minor under the age of 15,” with forensic examinations in progress.
The woman’s partner became alarmed upon discovering, very late in her pregnancy, that she had given birth at home before going to the hospital. Prosecutors stated his disturbance at the late realization that his companion had delivered at home before hospitalization.
Following the discovery of what seemed to be human remains, the man informed Orange hospital, leading medical staff to alert prosecutors. This prompted a police search of the property, resulting in the recovery of the remains of four infants and one decomposed baby.
An autopsy is scheduled for the newborn’s body, while anthropological examinations will be conducted on the skeletal remains to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The woman, aged 32, who recently gave birth and was previously unaware of her pregnancy, remains in the hospital and was later taken into police custody. The investigation has been transferred to the Avignon prosecutor’s office.
The couple, also aged 32, have two children aged eight and nine. Child Welfare Services will assess the family’s situation urgently, while the newborn boy is in temporary care awaiting a hearing before a juvenile court judge.
The family resided on the second floor of a building near Orange’s ancient Roman theatre. Police seals with the label “murder of a minor under the age of 15” were attached to their apartment door by Tuesday morning.
Neighbors expressed shock at the investigation, describing the family as “charming people” who had moved in approximately two years ago. They mentioned the woman picking up the children for lunch while her partner had a regular work routine.
Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five infants. Prosecutors indicated that the legal classification might change as additional forensic evidence is analyzed.
This case has drawn comparisons to past infanticide investigations in France, notably the case of Dominique Cottrez, who was convicted of killing eight newborns in 2010. She received a nine-year prison sentence in 2015 due to impaired judgment.
