"French Mother Receives Prison Sentence for Abandoning Child for Two Years"

A mother in France was sentenced to 18 months in prison for leaving her 9-year-old child alone in their apartment for two years, surviving on cake, canned goods, and stolen tomatoes while she lived with her partner elsewhere. The child, who continued attending school and was a good student, was reported to have lacked hot water and heating. The mayor alerted authorities after the mother sought help from social services, and the child has been under their care since September 2022.