Six months after his disappearance, French toddler Émile (2) is still “actively” wanted | Abroad

Little Émile disappeared on July 8 while playing in his grandparents’ garden in Le Vernet, a hamlet of about 125 inhabitants in southeastern France. Two neighbors reportedly saw the toddler around 5 p.m. Since then, there has been no trace of the boy. In the meantime, the search for Émile has been going on for six months.

According to a source close to the investigation, “a special investigation unit” is still active at this time. In the meantime, 900 reports have already been processed or dismissed. In addition, the researchers are still conducting extensive forensic analyses, it said. The investigators are assisted by specialized units of the National Gendarmerie, such as the judicial police and the cyber police.

The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor’s office does not want to provide any details about the progress of the case at this time. Since July 28, the judicial investigation into Émile’s disappearance has been treated as a criminal case. The investigation has therefore been expanded to include “the arbitrary abduction, arrest, detention and confinement of a minor under the age of fifteen.”

Detectives have had their hands full in recent months combing the fields and forests in and around Le Vernet. All residents of the hamlet were also interviewed. Yet the search has yielded nothing so far.

Last month, François Balique, the mayor of Le Vernet, said in an interview that he believes no resident is involved in Émile’s disappearance. “If that were the case, we would already know more,” says Balique.