Blois: Five-year-old girl found dead in suspected infanticide

A five-year-old girl was found dead at her father's home in Blois, France, on Monday. Prosecutors have indicated that the child likely died from “drug intoxication.”

Stéphane Javet, the public prosecutor of Blois, stated that the most probable hypothesis is “infanticide followed by a suicide attempt” by the father. The 42-year-old father was found in critical condition with multiple stab wounds, including to his throat. Unlike the father, the girl showed no traumatic physical injuries.

The incident came to light after the child's mother contacted authorities when the school reported the girl's absence. The parents had been separated since 2024 and were reportedly involved in an “acute family conflict,” which had led to a court-ordered educational assistance measure (AEMO) to monitor the child's safety and well-being. Authorities plan to take the father into custody as soon as his medical condition allows.