A Portuguese judge has ordered pre-trial detention for a French mother and her stepfather accused of abandoning their two young sons in a remote area of Portugal. The couple, identified as Marine R., 41, and Marc B., 55, were arrested after the boys, aged 3 and 5, were found crying and confused on a rural road near Alcácer do Sal, about 100 kilometers south of Lisbon. The children were discovered by a motorist on Tuesday and taken into care, while the parents were located and arrested in Fatima on Thursday.
The boys have since been placed with a French-speaking foster family in Portugal, pending a decision on France's request for their return. The biological father of the children is reportedly en route to Portugal. The couple faces charges of aggravated assault, endangerment, and child abandonment.
During a court appearance, the stepfather shouted 'I love you' in French, while the mother sang opera-like melodies. The couple allegedly claimed a mental disorder during a prison transfer, though this has not been confirmed by the court. Authorities said the boys had been living with their mother in Colmar, France, while their father had limited visitation rights. The father reported the children missing on May 11, leading to a European arrest warrant.
The boys reportedly told rescuers they were blindfolded and told to search for a hidden toy before their mother disappeared. The couple had no known connection to Portugal, and their backgrounds have drawn attention, including the mother's profession as a sexologist specializing in psychotrauma and developmental dynamics. The couple also faces separate charges in France, including allegations of leaving another child behind.