Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

CRIME

Mum of drowned toddler charged with murder

The mother of a toddler who was found dead in northern France has been charged for first-degree murder, her lawyer said, after the accused herself admitted to killing the 15-month-old child.

Published: 30 November 2013 22:34 CET

Mum of drowned toddler charged with murder

Residents of Berck-sur-Mer pay homage to the dead toddler found on the beach. Photo: Francois Lo Presti

"She was charged for first-degree murder, that is, premeditated murder," lawyer Fabienne Roy-Nansion said.

The woman was arrested in a Paris suburb on Friday, nine days after a public appeal for her whereabouts following the November 20 discovery of the
girl's body on a beach in northern France.

Prosecutors say the woman has admitted that she travelled with her daughter to the coastal town of Berck-sur-Mer with the intention of killing her.

"She left the child alive on the beach as the tide was rising," said the prosecutor in a statement.

The body of the girl was found by fishermen and an autopsy suggests that she drowned.

"She realises what she has done," said the woman's lawyer. "She expresses remorse" and "is not trying to find excuses," she added.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

French parliament to investigate sexual abuse in cinema

The Assemblée nationale unanimously agreed to set up the commission demanded by actor Judith Godreche in a speech to the upper house, the Senate, in February.

The 52-year-old actor and director has become a key figure in France’s MeToo movement since accusing directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. Both have denied the allegations.

All 52 lawmakers present for the vote on Thursday approved the creation of the commission, watched by Godreche, who was present in the public gallery in the chamber.

“It’s time to stop laying out the red carpet for abusers,” said Greens lawmaker Francesca Pasquini.

The new commission is to look into “the condition of minors in the various sectors of cinema, television, theatre, fashion and advertising”, as well as that of adults working in them, it said.

On the basis of Godreche’s proposal, a parliamentary commission on culture decided to extend the scope of the inquiry to also include other cultural sectors.

It is to “identify the mechanisms and failings that allow these potential abuses and violences”, “establish responsibilities” and make recommendations.

The parliament vote comes a day after actor Isild Le Besco, 41, said in an autobiography she was also raped by Jacquot during a relationship that started when she was 16, but was not ready to press charges.

Godreche, by contrast, has filed a legal complaint against the prominent arthouse director, over alleged abuse that occurred during a relationship that began when she was 14 and he was 25 years her senior.

She has also formally accused Doillon of abusing her as a 15-year-old actress in a film he directed.

Url copied to clipboard!