Authorities are urgently searching for 17-day-old Santiago, a premature infant abducted from Robert Ballanger hospital by his parents on October 22. A kidnap alert was issued, but it has since been lifted without locating the child. The parents, along with two accomplices, are believed to have traveled to Belgium, prompting a national wanted notice. Investigators are actively pursuing leads and have questioned relatives in connection with the case, as concern grows over Santiago’s health due to lack of medical care.
Authorities are in a race against time to locate Santiago, a 17-day-old infant who was born prematurely. His parents unlawfully took him from the maternity ward at Robert Ballanger Hospital in Aulnay-sous-Bois during the night of October 21 to 22. Due to the urgency of the situation, as the newborn requires consistent medical care, the local prosecutor issued an Alerte Enlèvement (kidnapping alert), communicated by the Ministry of Justice. Regrettably, despite government actions and widespread support via social media, Santiago has not yet been found.
On Monday evening, the Bobigny public prosecutor’s office announced the termination of the abduction alert. According to a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), ‘The alert has been lifted as the child has not been located. The search continues.’ While the prosecutor has the authority to initiate or revoke such alerts depending on the investigation’s requirements, their decision to lift the alert may indicate they have gathered key evidence to locate Santiago, as reported by BFM TV.
A BOLO Issued in Belgium
As investigations continue, reports suggest that the main suspects, a 23-year-old man and his 25-year-old partner, have fled France for Belgium. Swift action was taken, with a ‘European investigation request sent to Belgian judicial authorities’. Following this, Belgian police issued a national wanted notice at the request of the Mons public prosecutor’s office, which includes photos of the parents. They provided a description of the vehicle allegedly used for their escape: ‘Santiago’s parents are believed to be driving a dark blue Audi A4 with French registration GR-956-ZV. Please do not intervene directly; contact the police immediately.’
In a press release, the Bobigny public prosecutor confirmed that the ‘flagrante delicto criminal investigation’ is proceeding ‘very actively’ in collaboration with Belgian law enforcement. Five relatives of the parents have been interviewed and were identified as being between the ages of 16 and 29. They have since been placed in police custody under suspicion of participating in organized kidnapping activities.
How Santiago Escaped
The circumstances surrounding Santiago’s removal are alarming. Born two months premature, he has required continuous medical supervision since his birth. A police source revealed to BFM TV that without hospital care, the infant’s life is at significant risk. ‘He could suffer severe consequences after being out of care for more than 12 hours.’ There are concerns that, as of now, no medical facility has had contact with Santiago or his abductors.
Surveillance footage from the maternity ward shows that the parents successfully got past medical staff by concealing Santiago in ‘a black tote bag’ before escaping in a vehicle occupied by three other individuals.