A child, aged nine, was rescued after being confined in a narrow storage cupboard for 15 days at a residence in France. The incident took place in Mérindol, Vaucluse, with the police discovering the child at the family home on May 22. The stepfather was taken into custody following the discovery.
Concerned about the child’s well-being, an anonymous individual informed the authorities about the situation. According to neighbors who spoke to France 3 Provence-Alpes, the child was frequently punished and excluded from family activities with his mother, stepfather, and three brothers.
Acting on the tip-off, the police visited the family’s modest home in the village of 2,000 residents, where they located the boy. Public prosecutor Stéphanie Aouine of Avignon confirmed that the child was found in a cramped room resembling a storage closet, measuring just over a square meter in size.
The room reportedly lacked a mattress, containing only a basin for sanitation and some shelves. Despite the limited space, the child could stand up due to the presence of the shelves. Authorities believe he may have been locked inside since the beginning of May, enduring the confined conditions for 15 days.
Ms. Aouine mentioned that investigations are ongoing to assess the child’s daily routine and living conditions, including meals, outings, and school attendance. Although the child attended school, allegations suggest he was not allowed to go outdoors or take showers at home.
