A nine-year-old boy was rescued by police in Mérindol, Vaucluse, France, after being locked in a small storage cupboard for 15 days. Authorities were alerted by an anonymous tip expressing concerns about the child's welfare. Upon investigation, police found the boy confined in a space barely larger than a square meter, equipped only with a basin and some shelves, but no mattress. The public prosecutor of Avignon, Stéphanie Aouine, confirmed that the boy had been locked away since early May. Neighbors indicated that he was frequently punished and excluded from family outings with his mother, stepfather, and three brothers. While the child had been attending school, it is reported that he was not allowed outside or to shower at home. The stepfather has been arrested, and the boy's living conditions, including his routine and meals, are currently under evaluation by authorities.