Overview
- The boys, aged about three and five, were found alone and crying at the side of a rural road between Comporta and Alcácer do Sal on May 19 after a witness alerted authorities.
- Police located and arrested the mother, Marine R., and her partner, Marc B., in Fátima days later and a Portuguese judge placed both in pretrial detention on allegations including abandonment, neglect and possible bodily harm.
- The children were first placed with a French-speaking foster family in Portugal while French judicial authorities formally requested that Colmar social services take custody and arrange their return to France.
- Investigators are examining video footage that appears to show the partner handling a child roughly and are reviewing his past convictions and online apocalyptic content as possible evidence without yet establishing motive.
- Key next steps include Portuguese decisions about prosecution or transfer, French review of longer-term custody including whether the biological father can assume care, and continued child-welfare work to stabilise the boys and assess safe placement.