The two young French brothers, aged 3 and 5, were rescued by a passing couple on the evening of 19/5. They were found wandering in a panic on a main road in Monte Novo do Sul, Portugal, carrying two backpacks containing clothes and food. Artur Quintas, a local baker who found them, stated the boys were "screaming and crying" in fear.

The 5-year-old boy recounted a chilling story: their mother had led them into the forest, blindfolded them for a treasure hunt game, but when they removed their blindfolds, she had vanished. "To deceive the children, the mother told them to look for toys, blindfolded them, and abandoned them in the forest", Quintas said. Believing they were still playing, the children reportedly wandered for hours before their discovery.

The two children, aged 3 and 5, were taken to the police station by strangers. *Photo: CEN*

Quintas stated he only realized the horrifying truth of their abandonment after inspecting their backpacks, which contained a change of clothes, a packet of biscuits, fruit, and a bottle of water – items suggesting a planned departure. The couple quickly took the children to the local police station. According to Correio da Manha, the children had no identification documents but recognized their mother from a photograph.

Clothes, biscuits, fruit, and water were packed in the boys' backpacks. *Photo: CEN*

On 21/5, the boys' mother and stepfather were arrested after a car with French registration plates was discovered outside a cafe in the city of Fatima. They were identified as Marine Rousseau, 41, and Marc Ballabriga, 56.

According to the investigation, authorities had been searching for the couple after the boys' father reported them missing in France on 11/5. Marine Rousseau not only took her two young sons out of France without their father's consent but also left her 16-year-old eldest son at home in Colmar, eastern France. For the past two weeks, family members had received no information, living in despair and worry. Marine later used a bank card in Miranda do Douro, which helped authorities locate the couple in Portugal. Portuguese police had received photos of Marine and Marc from France, allowing them to quickly confirm the children's identities after they were found. The couple is facing charges of domestic violence and child abandonment. The father has filed a lawsuit against Marine, alleging kidnapping.

Meanwhile, the two children were monitored at the hospital and confirmed to be in good health. They are expected to be reunited with their family in France in the coming days, while the investigation is ongoing.

Tue Anh (based on Nypost, Portugal Resident)