28/07/2026 18:43 - Internacionales
The quiet town of Orange, located in the Vaucluse department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, was shaken on Monday, July 27, 2026 by a discovery that has horrified the country. According to local media such as France 3 and AFP, police found the bodies of five newborns or fetuses inside a couple's home.
In France, this psychological condition is known as déni de grossesse. A woman is unaware of her pregnancy, often hiding it even from herself and those closest to her, which can lead to unexpected home births.
The macabre find occurred under unusual circumstances. Over the weekend, a 32-year-old woman gave birth at home to a healthy baby, who was later taken to a medical center. According to reports from El País and Clarín, the pregnancy had gone unnoticed by the woman and her family.
While his wife was away, the husband, also 32, decided to open some cardboard boxes that the couple had previously argued about. Inside, he found the decomposing body of a baby and immediately alerted the hospital where his partner was staying. The hospital notified the prosecutor's office, which ordered a search on Monday night.
At the scene, investigators discovered the remains of five newborns: four sets of bones and a fifth body, stored in plastic bags and cardboard boxes in various stages of decomposition. A forensic doctor determined the remains belonged to five babies. Initial autopsies were scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The couple, described by neighbors as discreet and quiet, have two other children aged 8 and 12. A neighbor told AFP that the mother usually picked up the children from school for lunch, while the father worked outside during the day.
In a hopeful note amid the tragedy, the Carpentras Prosecutor's Office reported that the healthy newborn has been placed under temporary guardianship. The case of the older children has been referred to child protection services to assess their situation and ensure their well-being. The husband was questioned and released pending further investigation, stating he was unaware of the previous pregnancies.
Experts note that while rare, infanticide cases at birth are not exceptional and are often linked to psychological disorders or pregnancy denial. France has seen similar cases in recent years:
| Year | Location | Case Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (February) | Aillevillers-et-Lyaumont | A 50-year-old woman was arrested after two babies were found in a freezer. |
| 2022 | Bédoin (Vaucluse) | Two newborns were discovered under similar circumstances. |
| 2015 | General | Dominique Cottrez was sentenced to 9 years in prison for the deaths of eight newborns, with her mental state taken into account. |
The investigation, led by the Sub-Directorate for the Fight against Organized Crime and Specialized Crime, remains open. Authorities are waiting for the mother to be discharged from the hospital before questioning her to piece together the events.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
