The father of the two children had already been convicted several times for acts of violence. He was released at the beginning of 2024 after being convicted of domestic violence against the children's mother.
The main suspect is already known to the courts. The father of the two children kidnapped in Fourmies, in the North and found alive this Monday, January 20, had already been sentenced 14 times, indicates the public prosecutor of Avesnes-sur-Helpe, the day after the outbreak of the kidnapping alert.
He had notably been convicted three times for acts of violence. He was released from prison in January 2024 after being convicted of domestic violence against the mother of the two children, aged five and three. The latter had also had a serious danger telephone since the day before the suspect's release.
He fled with the two children
The man kidnapped the two children this Monday from the parking lot of a supermarket, threatening their mother with a knife, before fleeing by car, reports the Avesnes-sur-Helpe public prosecutor's office. The mother, armed with her serious phone, immediately contacted emergency services. The kidnapping alert was triggered in the evening before being lifted, once the children were found and the father arrested.
The first elements of the investigation made it possible to identify the vehicle with which the suspect had fled, which ended up being seen in the town of Beuvrages. The man, who had been warned by a member of his family, took refuge in an accommodation with the two children.
-When investigators arrived, the man left the two children and fled again, trying to hide in a private person's garden. He was arrested and taken into police custody.
The children, who showed no injuries, were returned to their mother. All three of them were directed to housing intended for families who are victims of domestic violence.
Investigations are continuing to hear witnesses and find the weapon with which the suspect threatened the mother.
Matthias Tesson with Laurène Rocheteau
