Greater Manchester Police have reported that the family of Alex Batty, a British teen missing for six years, is “massively relieved” following his discovery near Toulouse, France. Alex disappeared in Spain at the age of 11 during a holiday with his mother and grandfather.
In September 2017, Alex Batty vanished during a holiday in Marbella, Spain, with his mother, Melanie Batty, and grandfather, David Batty. The family did not have parental guardianship over Alex. Recent reports reveal that Alex had been living in the remote Pyrenean valleys as part of an itinerant commune, moving from place to place.
Alex’s legal guardian, Susan Caruana, his grandmother, expressed concerns in 2018, believing that a disagreement about how to care for the teenager was at the root of his disappearance. Caruana, who remains Alex’s legal guardian, had appealed for his return since he went missing.
Melanie Batty and David Batty, who lacked legal guardianship over Alex, remain wanted in connection with his disappearance. The family’s unconventional lifestyle choices, seeking a different way of life and avoiding formal education, have been cited as reasons for their actions.
Alex, now 17, has not disclosed the whereabouts of his mother or the specific locations in the Pyrenees where he had been living. Despite this, he had a video call with his grandmother, Susan Caruana, on Thursday (14) night, expressing his love and desire to come home.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes confirmed the communication between Alex and his grandmother during a news conference but provided no information on the current location of Melanie Batty and David Batty. The circumstances surrounding Alex’s lifestyle and disappearance continue to unfold as authorities investigate the case.
-BBC-
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