Mother and Boyfriend Arrested for Abandoning Children in Portugal

A French mother, Marine Rousseau, aged 41, was arrested along with her 55-year-old boyfriend, Mark Balabriga, near Lisbon while they were having coffee. This arrest comes two days after they allegedly left their two young sons, aged 3 and 5, blindfolded and alone in a forest in Portugal, as reported by local media.

The café owner, Jorge Lopez, remarked on the couple’s demeanor during the arrest, stating, “They remained seated and didn’t seem nervous. They were handcuffed without any stress. It was surprising to see them so calm in front of the authorities.” It was as if they were completely unfazed.

The two boys were discovered crying alone about 125 miles away. Local baker, Artur Quintas, found them “screaming and crying” while wandering near a highway, carrying only some clothes, water, and snacks in their backpacks.

According to the Portuguese authorities, given their vulnerable state, the children were taken in by a local resident before being transferred to a hospital where they received initial treatment, accompanied by police. Fortunately, they were reported to be in good health and were discharged from the hospital on Thursday.

Rousseau and Balabriga now face charges of child endangerment and abandonment. Additionally, Balabriga, a former police officer who was discharged from the military in 2010, faces further charges of aggravated assault.

The boys are currently under temporary foster care, while their biological father, who reported them missing back on May 11, is actively working to bring them back to France. He expressed his determination in an interview, saying, “It’s only a matter of days until we get our children back. I’ve been thinking about them every second since the police reported them missing.” He emphasized the need for his children to move on and not be reminded of this ordeal constantly.