French Court Orders Return of Abandoned Children from Portugal
Two French boys abandoned in Portugal to be returned to France, court document says

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Two French boys, Zacharie and Barthélemy, found abandoned in Portugal, will be returned to France for care by social services in Alsace. Their parents face charges while the children's father hopes to regain custody amid ongoing assessments.
- 01Zacharie and Barthélemy, aged four and five, were found abandoned in Portugal by their mother and her partner.
- 02The Setúbal District Court ruled to return the boys to France, where they will be placed under the care of social services.
- 03The children's father has limited visitation rights and is undergoing assessments to determine his suitability for custody.
- 04The couple responsible for the abandonment, Marine Rousseau and Marc Ballabriga, are in pre-trial detention facing multiple charges.
- 05The boys were discovered by baker Alexandre Quintas, who reported the incident to authorities.
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Zacharie and Barthélemy, two young French boys, will soon return to France after being found abandoned in southern Portugal. The Setúbal District Court has decided to place them in the care of social services in the Alsace region while evaluating the suitability of family members, particularly their father, for custody. The boys were left blindfolded in a bush by their mother, Marine Rousseau, and her partner, Marc Ballabriga, who have been arrested and are facing various charges related to the abandonment. The children's father, who has limited visitation rights, expressed hope in an open letter about regaining custody. The boys were discovered by a local baker, Alexandre Quintas, who has been hailed as a hero for his actions in ensuring their safety and alerting the authorities. The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting issues of parental responsibility and child welfare.
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The case raises concerns about child welfare and parental responsibility in both France and Portugal.
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