Police in France have located the body of an 11-year-old girl who had been missing for several days. The main suspect in custody, allegedly a friend’s father, had a prior accusation of rape but was not detained.
The girl, Lyhanna, went missing on May 29 in the southwestern Gers region. Her body was found in an abandoned grain silo after an extensive search. She was last seen wearing a black-and-white striped top, black shorts, and yellow socks with “One Piece” branding.
Authorities were led to the silo by information that the suspect had worked there previously. DNA testing confirmed the body belonged to Lyhanna, but further examination is required to determine the cause of death.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed shock over the case, highlighting flaws in the system. The suspect, a 41-year-old man, was observed near Lyhanna’s school and driving with her in his car on surveillance footage. He claimed to have dropped her off near a swimming pool.
Multiple complaints had been lodged against the suspect by young girls and their families, including rape allegations. An investigation into a 2020 incident was inconclusive, and another ongoing case involves repeated rape accusations in 2024 and 2025.
The Justice Minister has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the handling of the cases and the delays in transferring information between jurisdictions. The government aims to address the shortcomings in responding to complaints and protecting children.
The disturbing revelations have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system and the importance of taking children’s reports seriously.