Police have charged the parents of twin 15-month-old girls found dead in their home in Beuvrages, near Valenciennes, northern France. The mother and father, aged 32 and 35, were formally charged on Wednesday, July 1, with "deprivation of care by an ascendant resulting in the death of a minor under 15 years of age," according to the Valenciennes prosecutor's office.
Discovery and Charges
The twins' bodies were discovered in their bed at approximately 1pm on Monday, June 29. Emergency services were called by the parents, who reported finding the children unresponsive. A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday confirmed the sisters died from dehydration and were underweight at the time of death.
The parents, who live in social housing managed by Société immobilière du Grand Hainaut (SIGH), have been taken into custody. The prosecutor's office confirmed the family was not under the supervision of a juvenile court judge, and no prior report had been filed regarding the family.
Siblings Also Affected
Four other siblings, aged three, four, five, and six, also lived at the address. They were found to be suffering from dehydration, with one child in a critical condition after being airlifted to hospital. All surviving siblings have been placed into the care of Child Welfare Services, as reported by Birmingham Live.
The mayor of Beuvrages revealed that the family had relocated to the area only about two months before the tragedy. The commune has been left devastated by the incident, with local authorities expressing shock.
Legal Proceedings
The parents face charges related to the deaths of the twins and the neglect of their other children. Under French law, deprivation of care by an ascendant resulting in death carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison. The investigation continues, with authorities examining the circumstances leading to the children's severe dehydration.
