French Couple Remanded in Custody After Children Found Abandoned on Portuguese Road

LISBON, Portugal – A French woman and her partner have been remanded in pre-trial detention by a Portuguese court, accused of abandoning her two young sons on a roadside in the south of the country, sparking international concern and a wide-ranging investigation. The incident, which saw the boys, aged three and five, discovered alone and distressed, has drawn significant attention in both Portugal and France, raising serious questions about child welfare and parental responsibility. Authorities in both nations are collaborating to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the dramatic cross-border journey that culminated in the children's harrowing discovery.

Harrowing Discovery Along a Rural Route

The ordeal began to unfold on Tuesday evening, May 19, when the two young French boys were found by local residents crying and disoriented by the side of a rural road near Alcácer do Sal, a town in Portugal's Alentejo region, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Lisbon. The children, later identified as Barthélémy, 5, and Zacharie, 3, were carrying small backpacks containing spare clothes, fruit, and water, but no identification documents. They were discovered by Alexandre Quintas and his sister, who were driving home, and described the boys as "terrified" and calling for their father. The children reportedly recounted a disturbing narrative: their mother and her partner had blindfolded them under the guise of playing a game, variously described as "looking for a hidden toy" or "driving away the devil," before vanishing. The boys were left to wander for several hours in temperatures that can reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) at this time of year in Portugal. Upon their discovery, the children were taken to a hospital in Setúbal for medical evaluations and were reported to be in good health, though the psychological impact of the abandonment is a considerable concern. Psychologists have highlighted the potential for long-term psychological damage, including feelings of abandonment, distrust of parental figures, and difficulties with sleep and routines.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

The swift police investigation, involving cooperation between Portuguese and French authorities, led to the arrest of the mother, 41-year-old Marine Rousseau, and her 55-year-old partner, Marc Ballabriga. The couple was apprehended on Thursday, May 21, in Fátima, a town approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of where the children were found. Their car, with French license plates, was reportedly spotted outside a café, leading to their detention. Portuguese National Guard (GNR) officers noted the pair appeared "detached" and "perfectly normal" at the time of their arrest.

Following their arrest, Rousseau and Ballabriga were brought before an investigating judge at the court in Setúbal for a two-day hearing. On Saturday, May 23, the court ordered their pre-trial detention, citing charges of aggravated assault, endangerment, and abandonment of the boys. Ballabriga faces an additional charge of aggravated assault. Reports from the courthouse indicated an unusual demeanor from the couple; Ballabriga was heard shouting phrases such as "I love you!" and "Armageddon!" in French, while Rousseau reportedly hummed a melody. These actions align with suspicions among investigators that the couple may have conspired to "appear crazy" in an attempt to evade criminal responsibility.

A Troubling History Unfolds

The abandonment incident is rooted in a prior event in France. The children's biological father, who had limited and supervised visitation rights, reported them missing from their home in Colmar, eastern France, on May 11. This triggered a Europe-wide alert for the mother and children. Marine Rousseau had reportedly left France with the two boys, also leaving behind an older teenage son. Investigations revealed the couple had no apparent connection to Portugal, raising questions about their motive for traveling to the country before abandoning the children.

Further background checks have shed light on the suspects' profiles. Marine Rousseau described herself on social media as a sexologist specializing in body practices, developmental dynamics, and trauma care. Her partner, Marc Ballabriga, is identified as a former French gendarmerie officer who left the force in 2010. French media reports indicate he has a history of sharing conspiracy-related and antisemitic content online. More significantly, Ballabriga had a past conviction for domestic violence against the mother of his daughter, serving a nine-year suspended jail term. Investigators harbor suspicions that both children may have been targets of physical violence during the road trip, with one boy in particular believed to have suffered "more intense mistreatment".

Children's Welfare and Ongoing Investigation

The immediate priority following their discovery was the well-being of the two young boys. After their hospital checks, the children were placed with a French foster family in Lisbon, where they are receiving care and support. Plans are underway for their eventual return to France to be reunited with family members. Child protection services in both countries are involved, ensuring the children's safety and psychological recovery.

The ongoing investigation is being led by Portugal's Judicial Police (PJ) and the Specific Victims' Support and Investigation Unit (NIAVE) of Santiago de Cacém. Authorities are piecing together the timeline of events, including the couple's movements across Europe and their activities in Portugal prior to the abandonment. While many details have emerged, the specific motivations behind the alleged abandonment remain unclear, forming a central focus of the continuing legal and police inquiries. The case highlights the complexities of cross-border child protection and the severe consequences for those found responsible for such egregious acts.