Mother Arrested After Allegedly Abandoning Sons in Portuguese Forest
A French mother, Marine Rousseau, aged 41, was arrested in Portugal alongside her former policeman boyfriend, Marc Ballabriga, 55, after they reportedly abandoned Rousseau’s two young sons in a forest. The arrest occurred at a café near Lisbon, just two days after the incident.
Witnesses at the café noted how calm the couple appeared when authorities arrived. “They didn’t seem nervous at all,” said café owner Jorge Lopes, expressing his surprise at their demeanor despite the seriousness of their actions.
The two boys, ages 3 and 5, were found alone and crying approximately 125 miles from where they were abandoned. They were rescued by a local baker who heard their cries while they wandered along a road, carrying only small backpacks with some clothes and snacks.
According to local authorities, the children were quickly taken to a nearby house for care until they could be transported to a hospital. Fortunately, the boys were in good health and discharged shortly after.
Rousseau and Ballabriga now face serious charges, including child endangerment and abandonment. Ballabriga faces additional charges related to aggravated assault. Both have been placed in temporary detention while they await trial.
The children’s biological father, who reported them missing earlier this month, is working to bring them back to France. He expressed deep concern for his children’s well-being. “I think about them every second since I found out they were missing.” He added that he hopes they can begin to heal from this troubling experience.
