9-Year-old Boy Lived Alone in Unheated Apartment for 2 Years While Mother Lived With Boyfriend in France

A nine-year-old boy lived alone for two years in a cold apartment in France after his mother abandoned him. He survived without basic utilities, scavenging for food. His neglect went unnoticed until neighbors alerted the police, leading to his rescue. The mother was sentenced to six months in prison.

Child abandonment is poorly defined across the EU, making it difficult to address. Some countries have introduced programs like social assistance and family counseling to prevent abandonment in high-risk areas.