The proprietors of a secluded French vacation home where adolescent Alex Batty resided intermittently for a duration of two years have expressed that he was enthusiastic about attending school and returning to a regular routine.
Last week, Ingrid Beauve and Fred Hambye revealed that they had been treating Alex as a member of their family without knowing his true identity.
On Sunday, the couple shared their testimony, which sheds light on previously unknown aspects of a complicated and extraordinary human story.
In the middle of the story is Alex, from Oldham. He was 11 years old when he disappeared in 2017 while on a trip to Spain with his mother and grandfather.
Susan Caruana, the legal guardian of the boy, has expressed concerns that her ex-partner and daughter took him away in order for him to have a different way of living. She continues to be his guardian.
Alex, who is now 17 years old, appeared last week.
While trekking on a desolate road in the foothills of the French Pyrenees during a storm, Alex was sighted by Fabien Accidini, a student who works as a delivery driver.
Accidini discovered that the young boy had been traveling for a total of four days and nights. He spent most of his days sleeping and only moved at night to avoid being noticed. The boy carried a skateboard and a rucksack with him, and it seemed that he was making his way to Toulouse, possibly to seek help from the British consulate.
Alex was brought to the local gendarmerie in Revel before being transferred to British police, who then returned him to the UK on Saturday.
The GMP announced at a Saturday night press conference that Alex had returned to the UK and was in his desired location.
Matt Boyle, an assistant chief constable, expressed joy that the individual and their loved ones were able to reunite after a significant amount of time. This was undoubtedly a momentous occasion for them.
New information reveals that Alex stayed intermittently at the isolated Gite de la Bastide, where his grandfather bartered his handyman services for sustenance and lodging.
The proprietors of the gite, Beauve and Hambye, expressed a desire to share their narrative in response to “misconceptions” portrayed in the media.
According to them, Alex, also known as Zach, came in the fall of 2021 and spent varying amounts of time there.
“According to them, Zach/Alex had unrestricted use of the refrigerator and our food and took pleasure in cooking. His preferred dishes included beef stew, spaghetti bolognese, chocolate cake, and vegetarian options. He was conscientious and eager to be involved in the daily activities at the vacation home during his stay.”
The couple described Alex as a member of their family and someone who had a positive relationship with their children. He often joined them on outings to the beach, river, and for cycling. On Sundays, he would go with them to the market, where he would purchase a tuna sandwich and visit his mother.
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At times, Alex would leave and accompany his mother, who did not reside at the gite. She was searching for a new residence within a spiritual community, as their current large home did not align with their beliefs.
Over time, we welcomed him into our family and believe he valued the stability and safety we provided for him. He had his own room, unrestricted internet access, and full freedom to come and go as he wished.
The pair expressed their support for Alex’s pursuit of learning French and studying.
Alex expressed a desire to return to a regular routine and continue his education. He informed them that he required new documents and left once again, claiming he was reuniting with his mother.
“We made it clear to him that he is always welcome… We hope for the best for him.”
Alex was discovered days after his departure, leading to a rapid sequence of events that resulted in his return to Manchester.
According to French prosecutors, the mother of the teenager may currently be in Finland and his grandfather has passed away.
Alex’s relatives in the United Kingdom have requested for privacy in order to ensure a comforting process of welcoming him back.
Source: theguardian.com
