Alex Batty, a British teenager who disappeared six years ago while on holiday in Spain with his mother and grandfather, has returned to the UK after being found in France. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are yet to be established by authorities, who have not yet determined whether there will be a criminal investigation. His mother does not have parental guardianship of the 17-year-old and her current whereabouts are unknown.
On Wednesday, a motorist spotted Alex on a road in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, near Toulouse. The teenager is believed to have been living a nomadic lifestyle in spiritual communities with his mother and grandfather for the past few years. He decided to leave when his mother wanted to go to Finland, according to French officials. Alex is believed to have walked through the mountainous terrain of southern France for four days before being found by a delivery driver in the middle of the night.
Speaking at a press conference, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle confirmed that Alex was found on Wednesday by a member of the public. He was later met at the airport by a family member and two specially-trained officers. ACC Boyle added that the police are yet to obtain any formal statements from Alex.
The driver who found Alex, Fabien Accidini, said he lent the teenager his phone and let him use his Facebook account to contact his grandmother, Susan Caruana. The discovery of Alex after so many years has brought great relief to his family, who had been searching for him since he disappeared
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