A 32-year-old woman in Orange, southeastern France, is under investigation after her husband discovered the remains of five dead babies hidden in cardboard boxes at their home. The discovery occurred on Monday, July 27, following an argument between the couple shortly after the woman gave birth.
Discovery After Argument
The husband, who reported the incident to police, became suspicious during a dispute with his wife on Sunday. According to an investigating source, “The woman was complaining about abdominal pain when they argued on Sunday. The husband stayed behind when she was taken to hospital, and looked inside the cardboard boxes they had been arguing over – that’s when he found the five dead babies. All the foetuses were decomposing, and had been around for quite a while.”
The boxes containing the remains were all sealed inside the same plastic bag. The husband took the bag to the hospital, prompting medical staff to alert authorities.
Criminal Investigation Launched
The Carpentras prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation into the case. No arrests have been made yet. The woman remains hospitalized and has not been taken into custody. The couple have two other living children, aged eight and twelve, as well as the newborn from this week.
A source close to the investigation told Le Parisien that the woman had experienced three failed pregnancies prior to giving birth on Monday. The source further noted that the remains appeared to be from earlier pregnancies.
Legal and Social Context
Under French law, the woman cannot be named for legal reasons. The investigation will seek to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether any criminal offense occurred. Authorities are also considering support for the family, including the living children.
The case has shocked the quiet community of Orange, a commune in the Vaucluse department. Local residents expressed disbelief, with one neighbor stating, “They seemed like a normal family. We never suspected anything.”
