A 9-year-old boy was rescued this week after living locked in his father's utility van in eastern France since 2024, according to the local prosecutor. The boy told investigators that he had "big difficulties'' with his father's partner, and thought his father "had no choice" but to lock him up, according to the prosecutor. His partner denied knowledge that the boy was in the van, according to the prosecutor. The boy's 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of his father's partner were put in the care of social services. Friends and family told investigators they thought the boy was in a psychiatric institution.

Source: The Telegraph April 11, 2026 16:06 UTC