Thriller in France: 4-year-old girl found dehydrated next to her mother's body

A disturbing family tragedy has unfolded in Montagnac, France, where a 40-year-old mother was discovered deceased in her apartment, with her young daughter found alive but in critical condition beside her. The child, visibly dehydrated and in shock, had apparently been alone with her mother's body for several days.

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visibly dehydrated and in shock

The grim discovery was made after relatives alerted the police on Thursday, concerned by their inability to contact the woman. The apartment had been locked from the inside, prompting officers to gain entry through a window. Inside, they found the mother unresponsive and the 4-year-old daughter on the sofa, described as "visibly dehydrated and in shock" by the Béziers prosecutor, Arnaud Faugère, speaking to Le Parisien.

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locked from the inside, with the key in the lock

Initial investigations revealed no signs of forced entry or struggle within the apartment. The prosecutor noted that the apartment was "locked from the inside, with the key in the lock," leading authorities to initially rule out foul play. The mother, who lived alone with her daughter, reportedly suffered from epilepsy, and "asphyxiation following an epileptic seizure" is being investigated as a potential cause of death.

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asphyxiation following an epileptic seizure

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause and date of the mother's death, which will help establish the timeframe the child spent alone. Upon discovery, the young girl was unable to speak due to the trauma. She has since been removed from the apartment and placed under the care of relatives, receiving the necessary support.

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The little girl was taken in by a family member and is receiving appropriate care.