'Naked, Malnourished': French Boy Found Locked In Father's Van Since 2024; Rescued

Last Updated:April 12, 2026, 12:00 IST

A French boy was rescued after nearly two years locked in father's van. He was found malnourished and unable to walk.

A nine-year-old boy was rescued after living locked in his father’s utility van in eastern France since 2024, Associated Press reported, citing the local prosecutor.

The child was rushed to a hospital, and his father was detained. The incident came to light when a neighbour alerted the police about the “sounds of a child" coming from the van on Monday in the Hagenbach village, said the outlet, citing a statement on Saturday from prosecutor Nicolas Heitz.

After investigators forced the van open, they found a child “lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on top of a mound of trash and near excrement", Heitz said.

The prosecutor added the child was malnourished, and was unable to walk after being seated in a constant position for around two years.

‘Wanted To Protect Him’

According to the AP report, the child’s father told investigators that he put the child in the van in November 2024 because he wanted to “protect him", adding his partner wanted to send the boy to a psychiatric hospital.

However, Heitz said there was no medical record to prove that the child had psychiatric issues, adding he had got good grades in school before the incident.

The boy told investigators that he had “big difficulties" with his father’s partner, adding his father was left with no choice but to lock him up in the van, said the prosecutor.

The father has been taken into custody under preliminary kidnapping and other charges. His partner, who said she was not aware of the child’s whereabouts, was charged for failure to help a minor in danger.

Later, she was released under judicial supervision.

An investigation is underway into the matter.

News world 'Naked, Malnourished': French Boy Found Locked In Father's Van Since 2024; Rescued

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