A 32-year-old woman has been arrested in the French city of Orange on suspicion of murdering five newborns. The remains of the infants were found in the apartment where she lived with her partner and two older children, according to infohub.kz.
On July 29, the suspect was taken into custody. The Avignon prosecutor's office opened a criminal case for the murder of minors under 15.
The bodies were discovered by the woman's 32-year-old partner. According to investigators, he learned of her latest pregnancy only recently. On Sunday, she gave birth to a healthy boy at home and was subsequently hospitalized.
Upon returning home, the man decided to investigate. During his search, he found several boxes containing bones of four infants and the body of a fifth newborn.
He then contacted Orange hospital, which notified the prosecutor's office.
On the evening of July 27, police searched the apartment and seized the boxes of remains. The investigation has been assigned to the national police unit for organized and specialized crime.
Forensic examination preliminarily determined that the bones and decomposed body belong to five infants. The remains have been sent for laboratory analysis, and an autopsy has been ordered.
The suspect remains in the hospital after giving birth. As of publication, investigators have not yet questioned her.
The woman's partner claims he knew nothing about her previous pregnancies. He has not been detained.
The couple lived in an old house in central Orange, near the Roman theater, and were raising two children aged eight and nine. Child welfare authorities are assessing their situation.
The newborn boy, born on Sunday, has been placed in temporary care. A juvenile court judge will decide his future.