Alex Batty, a British teenager who had been missing for six years, has been located in France and is expected to return to the UK soon.
He disappeared in 2017 while on vacation in Spain with his mother and grandfather. Notably, his mother lacks legal guardianship over the now 17-year-old, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.
After being spotted by a motorist in the foothills of the French Pyrenees near Toulouse on Wednesday, Alex was found. French prosecutor Antoine Leroy mentioned that British police officers will be accompanying him on his return flight from France.
Reports suggest that Alex had been living a nomadic lifestyle in spiritual communities alongside his mother and grandfather during these years. His decision to depart came about when his mother expressed a desire to travel to Finland.
Allegedly, Alex trekked through the mountainous regions of southern France for four days before a delivery driver, Fabien Accidini, discovered him in the middle of the night. Accidini assisted Alex by lending him a phone and allowing him to use his Facebook account to contact his grandmother, Susan Caruana.
Expressing immense relief and joy, Caruana, who legally serves as Alex's guardian in Oldham, eagerly awaits their reunion. In a statement released by Greater Manchester Police, she conveyed her gratitude for Alex's safety and the opportunity to hear from him.
Caruana also requested privacy for their family during this time, aiming to ensure Alex's return is as comforting as possible. Photo by Benh LIEU SONG, Wikimedia commons.