Santiago Kidnapping Case: Mother's Transfer to France Confirmed
Cristina, a 23-year-old mother, is set to be transferred from the Netherlands to France on Thursday, following her arrest for the kidnapping of her premature baby, Santiago. The incident began on October 21 when Cristina and her partner, aged 25, abducted their 17-day-old son from a hospital in Aulnay-sous-Bois, near Paris, where he was receiving vital medical care. The couple fled with the baby concealed in a shopping bag, prompting French authorities to initiate a kidnapping alert.
After four days on the run, the couple was located in an Amsterdam hotel on October 25, where they were arrested. Both parents were placed in provisional detention as they awaited extradition to France. Cristina's lawyer, Romuald Sayagh, stated that she is ready to cooperate with French authorities and is prepared to explain her actions to the investigating magistrate in Bobigny. He emphasized her fragile state and her commitment to her child, asserting, "she is a good mother."
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Child's Well-Being
Santiago was repatriated to France on October 31 and is reportedly in good health, having gained weight since his return. The circumstances surrounding the abduction suggest that the parents feared losing custody of their child, particularly given their criminal backgrounds—Cristina for drug use and her partner for violence. This has raised questions about whether a placement order was imminent.
The Bobigny prosecutor's office is expected to address these concerns during the upcoming hearings. In addition to the couple, two other individuals, one a minor, have been charged with kidnapping and are currently imprisoned for their roles in aiding the escape to Belgium. The case has drawn significant media attention and raises important discussions about parental rights and child welfare.
