A nine-year-old boy has been rescued after being trapped in his father's van for approximately two years near the Swiss-German border, suffering from extreme malnutrition and losing the ability to walk due to prolonged confinement in a seated position.
Horrific Discovery in Hagenback
Police officers in Hagenback, located on the border between Switzerland and Germany, made the shocking discovery on Monday after breaking into a van. Inside, they found the child lying in a fetal position, naked and covered by a blanket atop a mound of trash and near human excrement.
Prosecutor Nicolas Heitz detailed the grim conditions, revealing that the father, aged 43, instructed his son to urinate in plastic bottles and defecate in bin bags. The boy's last shower reportedly occurred at the end of 2024, shortly after his imprisonment began in November of that year.
Father's Disturbing Justification
The father told authorities he confined his son to protect him from the child's stepmother, aged 37, who allegedly wanted to send the boy to a psychiatric hospital. The child expressed to police that he had significant difficulties with his father's partner and believed his father had no alternative but to lock him up.
Medical examination confirmed the boy was visibly malnourished and could no longer walk, having been kept in a seated position for such an extended period. He has since been hospitalized for treatment and recovery.
Family Dynamics and Charges
The father has been arrested and held in police custody on kidnapping charges, while the partner faces charges of failing to assist a minor in danger. She was released under judicial supervision after denying any knowledge of the boy's imprisonment.
The family includes the victim's 12-year-old sister and the partner's 10-year-old daughter, both of whom lived with the couple in a block of flats. Social services have taken both girls into protective care.
Community Shock and Investigation
Neighbors reported hearing sounds from the van but were initially told it was merely a cat. Resident Danielle described the situation as truly devastating, stating, We don't understand it. It's horrific, there are no words. It feels like we're living in a movie or a dream.
Authorities are investigating whether others were aware of the boy's captivity. Friends and family believed he was in a psychiatric institution, while teachers were informed he had transferred to a new school.
Prosecutor Heitz noted the boy had no prior record of psychiatric issues and had performed well academically before his disappearance. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of this tragic case.
