×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
19
Aug 2026
weather symbol
Athens 32°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

The grandfather of French toddler Emile is at the centre of the investigation – His dark past

Philip B. had previously been accused of rape and physical abuse of children

Newsroom April 2 02:42

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

Little Emile’s grandfather has been targeted by experts after a female hiker found the skull and bones of the 2-year-old boy who had disappeared from the village of Vernay in south-eastern France.

Emile had disappeared from his grandparents’ home on July 8, 2023, and his remains were found just 90 metres from his relatives’ home.

“The discovery of Emile’s remains was made by a female hiker however , she did not have to take them to the nearest police station in the area,” as reported by Le Figaro.

“The authorities should have been alerted and they should have picked up the findings,” experts are quick to argue.

Since yesterday, dozens of police officers, drones, anthropologists and specially trained dogs have been involved in the major operation of the French authorities to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of the little boy .

According to the German newspaper Bild, the boy’s grandfather, Philippe B. who is a kinesiotherapist by profession, was chopping wood outside his house around the time the child allegedly disappeared.

Why the authorities’ investigation is focusing on Emile’s grandfather

In the 1990s, Philippe, then 26, was a leader in a Christian community for children with family problems in the mountain village of St Croix, in the Pas de Calais in northern France, and had been accused of physical abuse.

In 2018, a court in the city of Lille summoned the unfortunate Emile’s grandfather to testify about the allegations against him. He had admitted at the time that he had “sometimes slapped the children, but it was not often enough”.

See Also:

>Related articles

French ministry official accused of drugging almost 250 women to watch them urinate in public

Ongoing murder mystery as judges order pre-trial detention for Syros man accused of stabbing paramedic

Unthinkable murder of 7-year-old in the US: Mother & her two transgender partners allegedly burned, beat & hid him in a closet

Language developed 8 times earlier than previously thought, says new book (video)

And this was not the only time the little boy’s grandfather was in the eye of the authorities as Philip B. was suspected of raping minors in 1993, when he was a leader in the deeply religious Catholic scout club ‘Riaumont’, where physical violence against children was part of the daily training.

Shortly before the end of 2016, the witness Jean L. decided to report to the police incidents from 1993 at the “Riaumont” scout club. According to the French TV station “TF1”, the witness reported rape and abuse by two perpetrators: the “Brother Philippe” – that is, Emile’s grandfather – and another man who used a room “for punishment and torture”.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#emile#french#grandfather of French toddler Emil#investigation#murder
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

New €4.5 million fireboat that operates in rough seas and reaches speeds of 32 knots, reaches Lavrio

August 19, 2026

Elafonisi packed with visitors: Large crowds at the popular beach in Crete — see photos

August 19, 2026

Fire breaks out in Zagori, Ioannina, helicopter joins battle against the flames

August 19, 2026

Bank of Greece: Central government cash primary surplus at €3.6 billion in the first seven months

August 19, 2026

Pentagon considering moving Patriot system to Crete following Iran threats to strike European targets

August 19, 2026

“Everything’s fine, we’re just looking for Milos”: A thick blanket of fog covered Kimolos — watch video

August 19, 2026

Madonna: “It’s My Birthday! Eat, Pray, Love, Drink, Dance, Break plates, Feed Cats!! Thank you G*D!”

August 19, 2026

46 migrants rescued south of Gavdos, being taken to Crete

August 19, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα