Overview
- Emergency services forced entry to the flat after the child's nursery teacher alerted police about the girl's absence and no one answered the door on Thursday, June 4.
- Responders found the 40-year-old mother dead and the four-year-old beside her, malnourished, dehydrated and in shock; the child was taken to hospital and is now reported to be in good health.
- Investigators and the public prosecutor’s office say they currently consider a natural death most likely and suspect an epileptic fit may have led to suffocation, but a formal autopsy is still required.
- Firefighters gained access via a first-floor window because the child was too young to open the door and the key was reportedly left in the lock, and neighbours reported no signs of violence.
- Local authorities set up psychological support for witnesses and the Pézenas gendarmerie is leading the inquiry while the child remains in the care of a relative as officials continue medical and forensic checks.