The premature boy was found in a hotel room in Amsterdam after his parents kidnapped him from the maternity ward of a French hospital, The Associated Press reports. The Belgian prosecutor announced that the child had been placed under medical care and was doing well.
The child’s 23-year-old father and 25-year-old mother were arrested, prosecutor Vincent Mack said at a press conference.
Police found them with the child’s grandmother and two other children, ages 3 and 10, Mack said.
We worked very hard for three days, we are on our knees, but we are happy, proud and excited,” he said.
The relentless search for 17-day-old Santiago began on October 22 when he disappeared from a Paris hospital. His parents were immediately identified as prime suspects.
French police issued an alert with appeals for information broadcast on radio, television and online, warning that the premature baby’s life was at risk because he needed medical attention stable
The investigation then moved to Belgium, where police found a car believed to belong to the parents. A SIM card and phone serial number were found in the vehicle, which allowed them to trace the couple’s last whereabouts. It looked like they crossed the Dutch border.
The saga ended on Friday night when Dutch police found the hotel room where the family had been staying.
“The arrest was made without a hitch,” Mack said, adding that the child’s life was not in danger. “Grandma is taking care of the other two children.”
The 3-year-old is believed to be Santiago’s sister, although the relationship between the 10-year-old and the family has not yet been determined, prosecutors said.
2024-10-27 17:31:00
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