Particle.news
Download on the App Store

French Couple Charged After Woman Escapes Alleged Five-Year Captivity in Saint-Molf

Prosecutors describe corroborating evidence supporting abuse allegations under a judge-led investigation.

Overview

  • The woman fled to a neighbor’s home on Oct. 14, with authorities reporting hypothermia and severe weight loss.
  • An 82-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman have been charged with kidnapping with torture or acts of barbarism, along with related exploitation offenses.
  • Prosecutors say the alleged victim was confined to a garage or tent, forced to sleep on a deckchair, use bags or a pot as a toilet, and consume porridge mixed with dish soap.
  • Investigators report finding a garage door blocked from the outside by concrete blocks, and the couple acknowledged the living conditions while minimizing responsibility.
  • The man has been placed under judicial supervision and the woman remanded in custody, as financial records show activity largely ceased in 2022 except for transfers to the suspects’ accounts.