Two 15-month-old twin girls were found dead in their bed in Beuvrages, near Valenciennes, France, on Monday, June 29, 2026. Emergency services were called to the family's home at around 1 p.m., where the twins were discovered in a state of rigor mortis. An autopsy on Tuesday confirmed the cause of death as dehydration, and the girls were also underweight.
Parents Charged and Siblings Hospitalized
The parents of the twins have been formally charged and remain in custody, according to the Valenciennes prosecutor's office. The couple, who live in social housing managed by the Société immobilière du Grand Hainaut, had called emergency services after reportedly finding the twins dead. Four other siblings, aged three, four, five, and six, were also found suffering from dehydration. One of these siblings is in critical condition and was airlifted to a hospital. All surviving children have been taken into care by Child Welfare Services.
Autopsy and Investigation Details
The autopsy revealed that the twins died of dehydration and were underweight. According to LeParisien, the prosecutor's office stated that the family "was not under the supervision of a juvenile court judge" and no prior report had been filed. The parents told police they put the girls to bed at around 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, and discovered them dead 18 hours later. The mayor of Beuvrages confirmed that the family had moved into the commune about two months ago.
Community Response
The tragedy has shocked the local community. The mayor expressed condolences and noted that the family was not previously known to authorities for any welfare concerns. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on the circumstances leading to the children's severe dehydration.
