Two young French brothers, aged three and five, were discovered alone on a road between Alcácer do Sal and Comporta after allegedly being left in a forest by their parents as part of a game. The children were taken to Setúbal Hospital for health checks and are currently under the care of the French embassy while the Public Ministry (Ministério Público) manages the case as an urgent judicial procedure.
French children found abandoned near Alcácer do Sal
Wednesday, 20 May 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Ministério Público (Public Prosecution Service) is Portugal's independent state prosecution body, responsible for leading criminal investigations, bringing charges, and representing the public interest in court.
The MP operates autonomously from the government and the police, though it directs criminal investigations carried out by the Polícia Judiciária, PSP, and GNR. It is led by the Procurador-Geral da República (Attorney General), who is appointed by the President on the government's proposal.
The MP gets involved in high-profile cases including corruption, financial crime, and incidents of potential institutional negligence. It also defends the legality of government actions and protects citizens' fundamental rights through the courts.
6 sources
- Two children found alone in Alcácer do Sal. Man who found them says parents 'put them in the forest to play a game'dn.pt ·
- Two children found alone in Alcácer do Sal. Minors taken to Setúbal Hospitaldn.pt ·
- Two children found alone on the road between Alcácer do Sal and Comportartp.pt ·
- Two French children found alone on a road near Alcácer do Salexpresso.pt ·
- "A gentleman with glasses and a beard": Popular says he saw the companions of the children who were found alonecmjornal.pt ·
- “Abandoned children” were blindfolded by parents, and left in forestportugalresident.com ·
