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Mother Abandons Boys in Forest; Arrested, Kids Fostered

5/22/2026

36 6 Full Breakdown

Center

Motorist Rescues Children

The boys told rescuers their mother blindfolded them and left them in the forest to search for a toy.
Authorities arrested Marine Rousseau and Marc Ballabriga after boys were found abandoned in Alcácer do Sal and entered foster care.
Motorist Alexandre Quintas discovered the children, gave them ice cream and food, and alerted authorities.
French and Portuguese officials said children can return to France only after a judicial request.

Left

Motorist Saves Kids

The siblings say their parents blindfolded them and left them in woods for an “exorcism game” to repel the devil.
Police arrested the parents at a café in Fátima after children were rescued bruised near Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.
Psychologists warn the abandonment may cause long-term damage such as sleep problems, irritability and withdrawal.
Motorist Alexandre Quintas found the children, gave them ice cream and food, and alerted authorities.

Blindspot

Blindspot

Center coverage emphasized that the boys were placed in foster care after being rescued and noted that French and Portuguese authorities must approve any return to France.
Left coverage gave less weight to that institutional response, focusing instead on the parents’ alleged “exorcism game” and psychological impact.

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Motorist Rescues Children

The boys told rescuers their mother blindfolded them and left them in the forest to search for a toy.
Authorities arrested Marine Rousseau and Marc Ballabriga after boys were found abandoned in Alcácer do Sal and entered foster care.
Motorist Alexandre Quintas discovered the children, gave them ice cream and food, and alerted authorities.
French and Portuguese officials said children can return to France only after a judicial request.

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