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La Chaux-de-Fonds (NE)Two 7-year-old brothers kidnapped from their grandmother’s home
In a context of family dispute over child custody, the kidnappers bound and gagged the 54-year-old woman, before fleeing with the two children.
The two brothers are in fragile health.
Cantonal police
Two 7-year-old brothers were kidnapped on Friday from their grandmother’s home in La Chaux-de-Fonds (NE), reports the Neuchâtel cantonal police in a press release. The children’s father is actively sought by law enforcement.
Bound and gagged
Around 12:45 p.m., two to three individuals showed up in an apartment located in the Arêtes district. There, they assaulted a 54-year-old Spanish national who was babysitting her grandchildren in her home. The attackers bound and gagged the victim, then took the children away. They fled in an unknown direction. The 50-year-old was able to free herself and called the police at 1:05 p.m. Immediately, an important system was put in place by the Neuchâtel police and its partners to find these children whose health is fragile. The mother of the two brothers, who was not at home during the events, was taken care of by the Neuchâtel police. A criminal investigation has been opened by the Public Prosecutor.
This kidnapping occurs in the context of a child custody dispute between parents, domiciled in Switzerland and Spain. The father of the children, wanted by the Swiss and French authorities, is notably warned of the kidnapping of minors. According to the first elements of the investigation, a Toyota Rav 4 vehicle, white, model 2006, registered in Spain might be linked to this case, and is currently circulating in France.
Call for witnesses
The police are appealing for witnesses: anyone with information enabling them to locate the two children, or who have observed the presence of individuals traveling in the vehicle described above, in the area of the Arêtes district in La Chaux-de- Fonds or in other places in the city, please contact the Neuchâtel police immediately on 032/889 9000. In the event of visual contact with children, do not intervene directly, but notify the police. at the emergency number 117.
(comm/lgb)