French prosecutors launched a murder probe after authorities found the decomposing body of a newborn and skeletal remains of four other infants at a couple’s apartment in Orange, southern France, on July 27 and 28 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The woman, aged 32, gave birth to a healthy baby at home on July 26 or 27 before being hospitalized [1, 2, 3, 4]. Her partner, also 32, discovered the decomposed infant remains following a disagreement and alerted hospital authorities, triggering a police search that uncovered the four boxed skeletal remains later that evening [2, 3, 4].
The man told police he was unaware of any previous pregnancies by his partner, a circumstance described as a 'third denial of pregnancy' [1, 2, 3, 4]. The couple lives with two other children aged 8 and 9, who have been urgently referred to child welfare services for assessment [1, 4].
Prosecutors said the inquiry concerns "the murder of minors under the age of 15," highlighting the seriousness of the case [4]. A provisional placement order was issued for the newborn baby pending referral to a children's court judge [1, 4].
The woman remains hospitalized and has not yet been questioned or placed in custody as of the latest reports [1, 2, 3, 4]. Autopsies and forensic tests on the infant remains are ongoing to establish cause of death and other details [1, 2, 3, 4].
The investigation remains active, with authorities following all leads as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five infants discovered at the home in late July.
