Police investigate as French toddlers found alone on Portuguese road
Portuguese and French authorities are investigating after two young French boys were found alone on a road in southern Portugal. Their father reported them missing, alleging child abduction by their mother, who has also been reported missing. The children were discovered with backpacks containing food and water but no identification documents.
- ▪The boys, aged three and five, were found in tears by a motorist on May 19.
- ▪Authorities are exploring all possibilities regarding the circumstances of their abandonment.
- ▪The children have been taken to a hospital for observation following their discovery.
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Police investigate as French toddlers found alone on Portuguese roadSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 21, 2026, 08:42 PMUpdated May 21, 2026, 08:42 PMLISBON – Portuguese and French authorities on May 21 opened inquiries after two young French boys were found alone, in tears, by the side of a main road in southern Portugal.French police were already searching for the children’s mother after their father filed a police reporting alleging child abduction and the woman’s family reported her missing.Media reports in Portugal said she and her partner were believed to have abandoned the two boys – aged three and five – with backpacks containing food and water but no identity documents.The adults are said to have blindfolded them and pretended to be playing a…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.