Crime & Public Safety
French couple held after five babies' remains found
A French couple has been taken into custody after the remains of five infants were found in boxes at their home in Orange, southeastern France, judicial sources said on Wednesday.
The remains were discovered on Monday, a day after the 32-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy boy at home and was taken to hospital.
Prosecutors said the 32-year-old man she lived with had been troubled after discovering very late that his partner was pregnant again. He searched their home in Orange's historic centre, found what appeared to be human remains and told the hospital, which informed the prosecutor's office.
A forensic doctor said the remains likely belonged to five newborns. Further autopsies are due to be carried out.
The couple also had two children aged eight and nine, who have been taken in by relatives. The newborn boy has been placed with social services, the prosecutor's office said.
Update
The couple has been taken into custody as part of the investigation, judicial sources said.
The couple's two children aged eight and nine have been taken in by relatives.
The newborn boy has been placed with social services, the prosecutor's office said.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 21:30:41 UTC.
Update
Prosecutors said the remains were bones found in cardboard boxes at the couple's home in Orange.
Police opened a murder inquiry after the discovery late Monday.
The woman had given birth to a healthy baby at home on Sunday before being taken to hospital, prosecutors said.
The woman's partner found what looked like human remains after searching their home and told the hospital, prosecutors said.
A forensic doctor said the remains likely belonged to five newborns, with autopsies still to be carried out.
Investigators had not yet spoken to the mother.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 13:22:15 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The identities, ages and causes of death of the infants have not been established in the supplied material.
Further autopsies are still due to be carried out.
Source
AFP news report published on .