Nine-year-old boy rescued from forced confinement in France

Authorities in Merindol, France, have rescued a nine-year-old boy named Theo who was forced to live inside a four-square-meter cupboard. The child had been living without running water or adequate ventilation and was found suffering from severe neglect, malnutrition, and flea infestations. The discovery followed a tip from a neighbor who became concerned after noticing the boy was excluded from family outings. Police reported that the child was kept under constant surveillance via a camera while trapped in the cupboard, often forced to stay in a fetal position due to the cramped conditions. Theo's stepfather has been incarcerated following the discovery, and the mother is expected to provide testimony. Reports indicate the mother had previously claimed the child was simply grounded in his room. The rescue operation was noted by responding officers as being particularly distressing due to the condition in which the boy was found.