Abandoned Boy Survives Alone for Two Years

In a remarkable tale of resilience, a 9-year-old French boy in Nersac, southwestern France, found himself completely abandoned by his mother in their apartment. Left to fend for himself, he demonstrated incredible resourcefulness, managing to sustain his life for two years, even attending school on his own.

Living without electricity or heat, the boy persevered, relying on his ingenuity to survive. Despite his challenging circumstances, he maintained his studies and was even praised as a good student by his school, which remained unaware of his plight.

Neighbors occasionally offered him food, unaware that he was living independently. He sustained himself on canned goods, cake, and even tomatoes from nearby balconies. Nights were spent bundled up with multiple comforters due to the lack of warmth and electricity, while he washed with cold water.

Meanwhile, his mother lived just 5 km away but made infrequent visits, primarily to deliver food. The boy’s father seemed absent from his life, having separated from his mother prior to her departure.

It wasn’t until concerned neighbors alerted the authorities that the boy’s situation was revealed. The mayor of the community expressed astonishment, stating, “I challenge anyone who would’ve been able to detect this situation: a clean boy, a good student who was doing his homework.”

Despite attempts to conceal her actions, the mother was prosecuted for child abandonment and neglecting her son’s safety. Evidence, including phone records, confirmed her absence from her son’s life.

She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for six months. As the boy enters his teenage years, he has expressed a desire to sever ties with his mother, who has visited him only once since his placement in a foster home.