9 year old boy rescued after two years locked in van in France, father detained

A shocking case of alleged long term child abuse has emerged from eastern France, where a 9 year old boy was rescued after reportedly being confined inside his father’s utility van since 2024. The child, now hospitalised, was found in a severely malnourished condition and is unable to walk after years of immobility.

According to the local prosecutor , the rescue took place in the village of Hagenbach near the Swiss and German borders after a neighbour alerted police about sounds of a child coming from a parked van. Police forced open the vehicle and discovered the boy inside in deeply distressing conditions.

Officials said the child was found lying in a fetal position , surrounded by trash and waste, and appeared to have been living in extreme neglect. He was immediately rushed to hospital for urgent treatment.

Investigators said the father claimed he had kept the child in the van since November 2024, stating it was done “to protect him.” However, prosecutors noted there were no medical records supporting claims of psychiatric illness, and the boy had earlier been a good performing student in school.

The child reportedly told investigators he had been isolated for a long period and had not bathed since 2024 , and believed his father had no choice in the decision.

The father has been detained and faces preliminary charges of kidnapping and unlawful confinement , while his partner has been charged with failure to assist a minor in danger , though she denies knowing the boy was inside the van.

Authorities have also placed the boy’s two siblings under social services care as the investigation widens to determine whether others were aware of the situation.

Officials have not yet clarified how the child survived in terms of food and water, though reports confirm he was in a state of severe neglect and malnutrition , suggesting prolonged deprivation. The investigation is ongoing.