British Teen Found Alive After 6 Years, Escaped French Commune: “My Mother Kidnapped Me”

Alex Batty, who disappeared at 11, located in France after fleeing commune in the Pyrenees

British teenager Alex Batty, who vanished six years ago while traveling in Spain with his mother and grandfather, has been found alive and well in France. The 17-year-old reportedly hiked through the Pyrenees mountains for days to escape a secluded “spiritual” commune where he had been living.

Alex’s rescuer, Fabien Accidini, a student from Toulouse with a part-time job delivering medicines by lorry, shared the astonishing details of his encounter. According to Accidini, Alex, dressed in black jeans and a white sweater, flagged him down on the side of the road, revealing his shocking story: “My mother kidnapped me when I was 12 years old.”

Accidini, concerned for the teenager’s well-being, contacted the police while providing Alex with the opportunity to message his grandmother and inform her of his safety. Alex revealed that he had been living in a rural commune in the Pyrenees mountains with his mother, Melanie, and grandfather, David.

It appears that Alex had grown disillusioned with the “alternative lifestyle” in the commune and decided to leave. Accidini stated that Alex expressed no animosity towards his mother but was determined to reunite with his family in England.

Alex’s grandmother, Susan Caruana, who had been his legal guardian, expressed her joy at his discovery, stating, “I am so happy. I have spoken to him, and he is well.” Susan had never given up hope and had posted heartbreaking messages on Facebook over the years, hoping for a sign that her grandson was alive.

Accidini recounted his three-hour conversation with Alex, during which the teenager revealed details about his life in the commune, his decision to leave, and the challenging journey through the mountains to find his family.

While Alex is now reportedly with social services in France, Greater Manchester Police are collaborating with French authorities in this complex and long-running investigation. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that they are supporting the British national in France and are in contact with local authorities.

Meanwhile, Alex’s mother, Melanie, and grandfather, David, remain wanted in connection with his disappearance. The circumstances surrounding Alex’s time in the commune and the details of his kidnapping are expected to be thoroughly investigated as the story continues to unfold.