Baby Dalia Rescued in Lille Hospital While Siblings Remain Missing
Updated (3 articles)
Infant Dalia located alive at Lille hospital after alert lifted The six‑week‑old premature baby was found at Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul hospital in Lille at 16:05 on Feb 21, left by an unidentified woman wearing a veil and surgical mask [1]. Prosecutor Eric Mathais confirmed the kidnapping alert was cancelled following the discovery. Hospital staff reported the child’s cardiopathy and immediate medical needs were met upon admission.
Parents identified as primary suspects and warned they might flee Abdelkader Benabderrahmane, 24, and Chaima Hattab, 20, were described by police as thin, brown‑haired, brown‑eyed, with a possible facial scar [2]. The ministry released their photos and warned they could attempt to leave France. Both parents fled on Thursday when ASE officials arrived to enforce a provisional placement order for their children.
Two older children still missing after parents’ escape The 18‑month‑old son Nael and 2½‑year‑old daughter Eline remain unlocated [1][2]. They had been placed under provisional ASE custody on Wednesday due to precarious housing, parental drug use, and neglect of basic needs. Investigators continue active searches for the siblings while the parents remain at large.
Two relatives detained for allegedly assisting the flight Police placed two family members in custody on suspicion they helped the parents evade authorities [1][2]. The DTSP and departmental judicial police are handling an organized‑kidnapping investigation for minors under 15. Authorities have urged the public to report any sightings to emergency number 197 or email pppj‑[email protected].
Sources
-
1.
Le Monde: Baby Dalia Found Alive After Kidnapping Alert; Parents and Siblings Still Missing — Reports the rescue of the infant in Lille, details of the unidentified woman, and ongoing search for the other children, plus relatives detained .
-
2.
Le Monde: Kidnapping Alert Issued After Three Children Vanish in Seine‑Saint‑Denis; Parents Suspected, Two Relatives Detained — Describes the alert, parents’ descriptions, ASE provisional care, and police warnings about potential flight, emphasizing public instructions .
Timeline
Jan 8, 2026 – Paras, a 22‑year‑old compounder, intercepts a Dalit mother and her 20‑year‑old daughter near a canal in Kapsad village, slashes the mother with a sharp‑edged weapon and abducts the daughter; the mother later dies in hospital, prompting protests by Bhim Army activists at the facility and a brief clash with police [1].
Jan 8‑9, 2026 – Meerut police mobilise more than ten search teams across districts to locate the missing daughter, while Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada oversees the operation and pledges to arrest all suspects [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – District Magistrate Dr V.K. Singh hands the victim’s family a cheque for ₹10 lakh and announces that an arms licence may be issued for their security, while officials promise continued protection for the family [1].
Jan 9‑10, 2026 – After hours of negotiation, the deceased woman is cremated; the family delays the rites to demand arrests and stricter action against alleged illegal constructions by the accused [1].
Jan 10, 2026 – BSP chief Mayawati condemns the case as “tragic, worrying and deeply concerning,” urging the government to prioritise violence against women and hold the perpetrators accountable [1].
Feb 18, 2026 – The child‑welfare agency (ASE) places three minors—6‑week‑old baby Dalia, 18‑month‑old Nael and 2½‑year‑old Eline—under provisional custody after a hospital report cites precarious housing, parental drug use and neglect of basic needs [2][3].
Feb 19, 2026 – Parents Abdelkader Benabderrahmane (24) and Chaima Hattab (20) flee the ASE placement order, abducting the three children and triggering a kidnapping‑in‑organized‑group investigation for minors under 15 [3].
Feb 21, 2026 (morning) – The Ministry of Justice issues a nationwide kidnapping alert for the three missing children, publishing the parents’ descriptions and warning they may attempt to leave France [3].
Feb 21, 2026 (16:05) – Infant Dalia is discovered alive at Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul hospital in Lille after being left there by an unidentified woman in a veil and surgical mask; the alert is lifted following her rescue [2].
Feb 21, 2026 – Police detain two relatives of the parents on suspicion of aiding the escape, expanding the investigation into the organized‑kidnapping network [2][3].
Feb 21, 2026 – Authorities publicly instruct anyone who locates the missing siblings to call emergency number 197 or email pppj‑[email protected] rather than intervene directly [3].
All related articles (3 articles)
-
Le Monde: Baby Dalia Found Alive After Kidnapping Alert; Parents and Siblings Still Missing
-
Le Monde: Kidnapping Alert Issued After Three Children Vanish in Seine‑Saint‑Denis; Parents Suspected, Two Relatives Detained
-
The Hindu: Dalit woman murdered, daughter abducted in Meerut village as police hunt for suspect