French authorities have launched a murder investigation after the remains of five babies were found in a couple's apartment in Orange, southern France. The discovery came hours after the woman gave birth unexpectedly at home.
Discovery and investigation
The Carpentras public prosecutor's office said the man became concerned when his partner gave birth at home and was taken to hospital. He returned to the flat and began searching, finding what appeared to be human remains. He contacted Orange hospital, which alerted prosecutors, and police searched the apartment on Monday evening.
A forensic pathologist's preliminary findings identified the skeletal remains of four infants and the decomposing body of a fifth baby. An autopsy has been ordered on the baby's body, and the skeletal remains will undergo anthropological examination to determine what happened.
Mother in custody, partner released
The mother, aged 32, was initially in hospital and not interviewed, but on Wednesday, July 29, she was taken into police custody. Her partner, also 32, was voluntarily interviewed and told officers he was completely unaware of his partner's pregnancies. He has been released without charge. The couple have two other children, aged eight and nine.
The healthy baby boy born on Sunday has been placed in temporary care pending a juvenile court hearing. Child Welfare Services has been asked to review the family situation. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the "murder of a minor under the age of 15," though the charge could change as forensic evidence emerges.
Community shock
Neighbours expressed shock. Florent Jean, who lives nearby, described the family as "charming people" who moved in about two years ago. He recalled seeing emergency services on Sunday and thought the woman could not be pregnant because she was so thin. The case has been transferred to the Avignon prosecutor's office.
The discovery has drawn comparisons to past infanticide cases in France, including that of Dominique Cottrez, who was convicted in 2015 of killing eight newborns and sentenced to nine years in prison.
