A British boy who had been missing for an extensive six-year period has been discovered safe and under the care of a young person’s centre in Toulouse, France, authorities revealed to BBC News.
The 17-year-old was found near Toulouse by a compassionate lorry driver after enduring several days of solitary walking along an isolated country road.
According to revelations on Thursday, Alex informed the driver that his mother had allegedly “kidnapped” him in 2017. At that time, Alex, hailing from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was only 11 years old and had not returned from a holiday in Spain during October 2017.
Accompanied by his mother Melanie Batty and grandfather David Batty, Alex’s vacation in Spain near Marbella concluded without their expected return, prompting a police inquiry to locate the trio.
Expressing hope and relief, Alex’s grandmother and official guardian, Susan Caruana, shared with The Times, “I’m hoping he will return next week. I spoke to him this afternoon, and it is definitely him. I was speaking to a boy when he was with us, and now I’m speaking to a man.”
Presently, Alex is under the care of social services, awaiting the arrival of British police and consular staff to facilitate his return to England, according to BBC reports.
Details regarding Alex’s exact living conditions in the Pyrenees or his mother’s whereabouts were not disclosed to authorities.
French prosecutors confirmed on Thursday that Alex had been found alive and well near Toulouse after leaving a “spiritual community” in the Pyrenees.
In 2018, Alex’s grandmother had expressed beliefs that her daughter and ex-husband had taken him abroad to pursue an “alternative lifestyle,” indicating a reluctance toward conventional schooling.
David and Melanie Batty, however, have not been located and are sought by authorities in connection with Alex’s disappearance.
Fabien Accidini, a chiropractic student from Toulouse, recounted his encounter with the English teenager, stating, “He was quite tall and blond, and dressed in black jeans, a white sweater, and a backpack. He also carried a skateboard under his arm and a flashlight for lighting. His attitude gave me confidence.”
After conversing with Alex for over three hours, Accidini detailed that Alex revealed his true identity and narrated his experiences, mentioning that his mother had allegedly kidnapped him at the age of 12. He disclosed having lived in Spain with approximately ten other individuals in a luxury house.
Alex had left his mother’s residence in France recently, deciding to embark on a journey to reunite with his family in England. Following interaction with the authorities, he spent the night under care.
French police confirmed Alex’s identity and Greater Manchester Police announced ongoing discussions with his family in England. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) affirmed their support for a British national in France and their engagement with local authorities to facilitate Alex’s return.
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