SouthernWorldwide.com – A French mother and her former law enforcement boyfriend have been arrested in Portugal on charges of child endangerment and abandonment after allegedly leaving her two young sons, aged 3 and 5, blindfolded in a remote forest.
Marine Rousseau, 41, and Marc Ballabriga, 55, were apprehended on Thursday while dining at a café near Lisbon. This arrest occurred two days after they reportedly abandoned the children in a secluded wooded area.
The café owner, Jorge Lopes, described the couple’s demeanor to reporters, noting they appeared calm and unconcerned during their arrest. He expressed astonishment at their lack of visible stress, stating they acted as if they were unaffected by the situation.
The two young boys were discovered alone and distressed approximately 125 miles away from where they were allegedly left. They were found crying and disoriented.
Authorities stated that due to the children’s vulnerable condition, they were taken to a local resident’s home for initial care. Officers remained present until the boys were transferred to a hospital unit.
Portuguese authorities confirmed that the children were in good health and were discharged from the hospital on Thursday. They have since been placed in temporary foster care.
Rousseau faces charges of child endangerment and abandonment. Ballabriga, a former French police officer who left the force in 2010, also faces an additional charge of aggravated assault.
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The couple has been ordered to be held pending trial. They are currently in custody.
The rescue of the boys was facilitated by Artur Quintas, a local baker. He spotted the children on May 19, reportedly stumbling along a main road while screaming and crying.
The children were found carrying backpacks containing only clothes, water, and snacks. This limited supply suggests they were not prepared for an extended period in the wilderness.
Quintas recounted that the older brother explained their mother and her boyfriend had taken them into the forest and blindfolded them as part of a “game.” When the blindfolds were removed, the adults were gone.
The biological father of the children, who resides in France, reported them missing on May 11. He is actively working with authorities to facilitate the return of his sons to France.
“It’s only a matter of days before I get my children back,” he stated to French broadcaster Ici Alsace TV. He expressed his constant thoughts about his children since being notified of their disappearance.
The father emphasized the need for his children to rebuild their lives and move past the traumatic experience. He hopes they will not be constantly reminded of this incident.
