The parents, whose 21-month-old child was found in cardio-respiratory arrest on Thursday morning in Epône (Yvelines), remain in police custody. This was the decision of the public prosecutor's office on Friday evening, which is preparing to open a judicial investigation "for murder and habitual violence".
The 31-year-old man and his 28-year-old wife were arrested on Thursday afternoon at a social hotel in Épône after the discovery of the infant's lifeless body. The drama played out in the bedroom of the couple, parents of two other children, on the ground floor of this former Formula 1 car.
In the aftermath of the sad news, emotions remained high this Friday at noon in the corridors of the establishment which welcomes precarious families placed by the 115 services. The presence of many tenants from different backgrounds inevitably complicates relations between neighbours who do not speak the same language. "It's terrible what happened," said one resident. But we know next to nothing. »
Was the child suffering from a serious illness?
The suspect's brother, originally from Afghanistan, went to the scene in search of information about his elder brother's judicial history. Several sources are cautious about the accusation of the parents. According to one of them, the child had been suffering from a serious illness for several months.
Mayor Ivica Jovic said he was "very saddened by this terrible tragedy". "The reception conditions of this hotel are not ideal, but the owner of the establishment as well as the services of the town hall do everything possible to support these families as best as possible," confides the LR elected official. In fact, we welcome children free of charge in our canteens or leisure centres. It takes them out of this daily life. »