Alex Batty, who dissapeared six years ago when he was only 11 years old, is set to return to the UK over the weekend, with his grandmother, who is his legal guardian, saying she “can’t wait to see him”.
The now 17-year-old British boy is set to return to the UK in “the next few days” according to Greater Manchester Police, who are working with the French authorities.
His grandmother said: “I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well.
“I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again. I can’t wait to see him when we’re reunited.
“The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child.
“I would ask that our family are given privacy as we welcome Alex back, so we can make this process as comforting as possible.”
Alex Batty was only 11 years old when he did not return from a holiday in Spain in 2017 and he claims he was kidnapped by his mother and taken to a “spiritual” commune in France before managing to escape.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: “I think I speak on behalf of the whole of Greater Manchester Police when I say we were relieved and overjoyed to receive news from the French Authorities that they believe Alex Batty had been located safe and well, more than six years after his disappearance. This is a huge moment for Alex, for his family and for the community in Oldham.”
Alex was discovered on Wednesday hiking across the Pyrenees mountains by French chiropody student, Fabien Accidini, and the teenager has since told police his nomadic lifestyle “had to stop”.
Alex’s aunt, Maureen Batty, 73, said she was told her nephew was “brainwashed” before escaping from the commune as he “didn’t want to lead that lifestyle” anymore.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, she said: “Alex has been brainwashed by the religion David [his grandfather] was in. Alex hasn’t had any education while out there, so we don’t know what he’ll be like when he comes home. [He] has had it rough.”
Alex was declared missing by his grandmother, Susan Caruana, who is his legal guardian after he failed to return home from a holiday near Marbella with his mother, Melanie Batty, then 37, and his grandfather, David Batty, 58, in October 2017.
Ms Caruana said she was also in shock and that she was “desperate” to see him.
The grandmother told the BBC she believed his mother and grandfather had taken him to live with a spiritual community in Morocco. She said at the time they were seeing an alternative lifestyle and did not want Alex to go to school.
Detectives believe he was abducted by his mother, Melanie Batty, to live an “alternative” lifestyle abroad.
Alex, who is now 17, was found by chance by student Fabien Accidini after spotting him walking alone near the city of Toulouse. Alex used Mr Accidini’s Facebook account to contact his grandmother back in the UK.
He wrote: “Hello Grandma, it’s me Alex. I’m in France Toulouse. I really hope that you receive this message. I love you, I want to come home.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was in touch with French authorities to put “safeguarding measures in place”.
They stated: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.”
The teenager is originally from Oldham and his grandmother had made multiple appeals to find him over the years.
