The Bobigny public prosecutor spoke this Thursday, October 24, 2024, more than two days after the kidnapping alert was triggered. Santiago, a 19-day-old newborn, very premature, was kidnapped from a maternity ward in Seine-Saint-Denis on Monday evening. Éric Mathais confirmed that the parents, the main suspects, had indeed fled to Belgium and that their car had been found. They are still wanted this Thursday.
The hope of finding Santiago alive
Born extremely premature, Santiago requires care, recalled the prosecutor who still hopes “find him alive”. Even if the parents still had custody at the time of the events, “the abduction of a child by parents remains legally justified when their behavior characterizes an abuse of the exercise of parental authority”, explained Éric Mathais.
The magistrate then addressed the infant's parents: “If they hear me, for the sake of their baby they must take him to the nearest hospital. »
Parents' profile
Both of French nationality, the parents resided in Noisy-le-Sec and are unfavorably known to the courts. The father was convicted four times by the courts, notably for theft, the mother three times.
Three people presented to a judge
Five people from the family's entourage were arrested, three of them will be presented to an investigating judge. Two men are notably being prosecuted for “organized gang kidnapping of a 15 year old minor and no denunciation of mistreatment or deprivation inflicted on a minor aged 15,” detailed the prosecutor.
A European arrest warrant
Éric Mathais announced that a European arrest warrant was going to be issued, we learn from our colleagues at Franceinfo. Asked about a possible departure of the parents to Serbia, the prosecutor evaded: “All avenues are being considered. »
Contact the authorities
People who have information that could help investigators can contact authorities. The kidnapping alert number is still active “exceptionally”indicated the director of the sub-directorate of the judicial police of Seine-Saint-Denis. You must dial the 197. An email address also exists: [email protected].
