A nine-year-old boy has been rescued after being confined to a storage cupboard measuring just one metre in width for 15 days at a family home in southern France. The child was discovered by police on Friday, May 22, in the village of Mérindol, located in the Vaucluse department. His stepfather has reportedly been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
How the rescue unfolded
Authorities were alerted by an anonymous individual who expressed concerns about the child's well-being. Neighbours told France 3 Provence-Alpes that the boy was "always being punished" and was frequently excluded from family outings involving his mother, stepfather, and three brothers. Police arrived at the property and found the child locked inside the cramped cupboard, where he had been held for over two weeks.
Investigation and legal proceedings
The stepfather is now in police custody as investigations continue. The motive behind the prolonged confinement remains unclear, but authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness. The child has been taken to a safe location and is receiving necessary support. Local officials have not released further details about the family's circumstances, but the case has sparked outrage in the community.
This is a developing story. For more updates, follow reliable news sources.
