Five Newborns' Remains Found in Orange Apartment

Overview

• Police discovered skeletal remains and a decomposing newborn in cartons and an armoire after the woman's partner found what he believed were human remains and alerted authorities.
• A medical examiner deployed by the tribunal judiciaire de Carpentras estimated the bones and the body belonged to five newborns and an autopsy plus lab analyses have been ordered.
• The inquiry for meurtre sur mineur was opened after the search and police placed seals on the apartment to preserve the scene for forensic work.
• The couple already had two children and a healthy newborn born at the weekend has been placed under a provisional child-protection order while ASE evaluates the family's situation.
• Neighbors expressed shock at the discovery and the case is being examined against a background of past French prosecutions for concealed infant deaths, with any charges to follow after forensic and testimonial evidence is gathered.