Bodies of five newborns found in French couple's home

Authorities in the French city of Orange are investigating a disturbing discovery after the bodies of five newborns or fetuses were found in the home of a local couple. The grim find came to light after the woman gave birth to a healthy baby over the weekend, in what French media described as an undetected pregnancy.

While the woman was hospitalized, her husband reportedly discovered the first body while searching the family home and immediately alerted the authorities. Investigators subsequently located the remains of four other infants, which were reportedly found inside boxes, according to sources close to the case cited by Franceinfo.

The investigation aims to establish the exact nature of the remains and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Forensic examinations, including autopsies, are scheduled to take place on Wednesday. The woman, who has two other children aged 8 and 12 with her husband, remains hospitalized and has not yet been taken into police custody.

This incident echoes similar cases in France, including a woman's arrest in February after two babies were found in a freezer and another discovery of two newborns in identical circumstances in 2022. In a more severe past case, Dominique Cottrez was sentenced in 2015 for the deaths of eight newborns, with the court acknowledging an alteration of her discernment capacity.