Boys abandoned in Portugal placed with family in France

Two young boys, found abandoned by the roadside in southern Portugal, have been safely returned to France and placed with family members. French social services accompanied the children, aged four and five, from Portugal, ensuring their security upon arrival.

The children were discovered on May 19 by a motorist near Alcacer do Sal. Their mother, 41, and her 55-year-old French partner were arrested days later near Fatima. The mother faces charges of endangering or abandoning the children, while her partner is also accused of aggravated assault against one of the boys.

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They were accompanied from Portugal by French social services and entrusted to family members under conditions guaranteeing their safety.

French authorities had been seeking the children since May 11, when their father reported them missing from Colmar. The Portuguese court had initially considered placing the children in social care in France while family members were evaluated, given the mother's situation and the father's limited, supervised visitation rights.

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To preserve the serenity of their return to France, no further details will be released regarding their care.