On December 10, 2024, 13-year-old Morgane was found safe in Coutances, 15 days after her disappearance from Pabu. She had been sheltered by 21-year-old Adrien, who faces kidnapping charges despite claims of no inappropriate conduct. Adrien’s mother defended him as empathetic but misguided, emphasizing his desire to help Morgane. She expressed concern over the potential stigma of him being labeled a predator and the emotional toll of a possible prison sentence on her son.
Morgane’s Miraculous Return: A Tale of Disappearance and Discovery
On the 10th of December, 2024, a remarkable turn of events unfolded when 13-year-old Morgane was located safe and sound in Coutances, located in the Manche region. This discovery came 15 days after she vanished from her hometown of Pabu in Côte-d’Armor on November 25. The teenager was found at the residence of 21-year-old Adrien, who had been sheltering her at a youth workers’ facility, approximately 215 kilometers away from her home.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding the Suspect
Adrien’s background quickly became a focal point of public scrutiny. During a press conference on December 11, the public prosecutor confirmed that Morgane was “in good health” and “free to move” at the time of her discovery. She exhibited “no injuries of any kind” and asserted that there had been no inappropriate relationship with Adrien. Nonetheless, he was apprehended and placed under police custody on charges related to the “kidnapping and detention of a minor under fifteen.” Subsequently, he faced formal charges for these offenses.
In a poignant interview with RMC on December 12, Adrien’s mother provided insights into her son’s character and the motivations behind his actions. She portrayed him as a compassionate individual, stating, “He is someone who is very empathetic and understands the suffering of others. I often reminded him that he cannot save everyone.” She suggested that his strong sense of empathy could have clouded his judgment, leading to the situation at hand. “He has always been this way, even in school, where he was often bullied. He never intended to harm anyone,” she shared.
Describing her son as “very introverted” but with “a good heart,” she expressed her belief that Adrien’s intentions were to assist Morgane. “He kept her family unaware for 15 days, which is undoubtedly painful for them. I empathize entirely with their suffering. As a mother, I recognize that my son made a grave mistake, which is unacceptable, yet his intention was never to cause harm—he just wanted to help,” she explained.
One of the most distressing aspects for her was the fear of her son being labeled as a sexual predator. “He is not that kind of person; he simply wants to aid others,” she asserted. She acknowledged his lack of experience in expressing his emotions and reiterated, “He is not a sexual predator, merely someone who feels deeply for others.” The thought of her son facing imprisonment was unbearable for her. “It pains me to say this, but I fear he won’t cope well. Adrien is very fragile and often tries to manage everything on his own, yet he requires support. Despite being 21, he is still very young and lacks maturity. I worry about how he would handle prison,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Regarding the other incident involving a minor’s abduction, Adrien’s mother revealed that he had gone to help the young girl after she disclosed that she was being mistreated by her parents. “He did not resist law enforcement; he is not a violent individual. His empathy might be excessive, especially in a society where self-preservation often takes precedence,” she concluded.