Police in Belgium are seaching for two people who kidnapped their newborn baby from a hospital in France. The vehicle in which they fled has been discovered, but it was empty.
A search operation is ongoing to find newborn baby Santiago, who was abducted by his parents from a hospital in Aulnay-sous-Bois, near Paris, at around 23:00 on Monday 21 October. Surveillance camera footage showed the parents leaving with a bag in which the baby was believed to be hidden.
Santiago was born prematurely, and his life is in grave danger if he does not receive medical attention soon. A missing child notice was therefore circulated in France. The French court on Tuesday requested the cooperation of Belgian authorities in their search, as it is believed that the parents fled to Belgium overnight.
Notices were circulated on the information boards above Belgian motorways, reading: "Child Alert, Blue Audi GR 956 ZV (FR)", referring to the number plate of the vehicle in which the parents fled with the baby. This form of circulating alerts is exceptional: the so-called 'Child alert', a communication system aimed at reaching as many people as possible in a short time, has only been used twice before, local media reported.
The Charleroi police zone confirmed at around 11:30 on Wednesday that the dark blue Audi A4 vehicle belonging to the parents was discovered in the Charleroi region. However, VRT NWS reported that the couple and the baby were not found in the vehicle.
Because the vehicle was found, the ‘Child Alert’ has been discontinued and other means of investigation are being used to trace the child.
Calls for witnesses
Child Focus and the Federal Police also put out missing child alerts on their websites and social media. "Santiago has blond hair. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a brown T-shirt (size six months) and white thick velvet pyjamas. He needs urgent medical care," Child Focus said on its website.
The father is 23 years old and was wearing dark jeans, a white T-shirt, a light blue jean jacket and a black coat. The mother, aged 25, was wearing a white jumper, a green skirt and a light blue sleeveless jacket.
Child Focus is calling on witnesses to come forward via the free emergency number 116 000 or the freephone number 0800/30 300. If they are spotted, people are asked to not intervene personally. "If applicable, notify the police immediately."
It is unclear why the parents took their baby from the hospital. According to French media, the parents may be known to the police. The parents left with three other people in their car. Detectives in France have since arrested five people, aged between 16 and 29, in Livry-Gargan in northeast Paris. They are all believed to be close friends of the parents, Le Monde reported.
This article is being updated as new information is provided.
