Authorities in Orange, France, have launched an investigation after the remains of five newborns were discovered at the residence of a couple, according to reports from prosecutors on Tuesday.
The grim discovery followed the birth of a child by a 32-year-old woman, who is also the mother of two children aged 8 and 9. Her partner, also 32, reportedly became distressed upon learning of her late-stage pregnancy and began searching their home, where he found what appeared to be human remains. He subsequently alerted the authorities through the hospital where the woman was admitted.
On Monday, prosecutors initiated a criminal investigation on suspicion of homicide after police searched the couple’s home.
Macabre Discovery Unveiled by French Investigators
A forensic expert at the scene estimated, based on preliminary findings, that the bones and decomposed body belonged to five newborns.
The man told police he was unaware of any potential pregnancies of his partner.
The prosecution has requested child protective services to urgently assess the situation of the couple’s two children, aged 8 and 9. They have issued a provisional placement order for the child born on Sunday until the case is presented to a juvenile court judge.
The mother remains hospitalized, having been admitted a day after giving birth at home. She has yet to be interviewed by investigators, and it remains unclear whether she has legal representation.
Prosecutors announced that an autopsy will be performed on the decomposed body, and the bones will undergo anthropological analysis in a laboratory.
