A 17-year-old British national, who had been missing since 2017, is all set to return home after being found by a delivery driver in a mountainous village in deep France.
Found in Haute-Garonne in France’s Toulouse, Alex Batty (17) revealed that he had been living in France for the past two years “in a spiritual community.” Batty was last seen when he was 11 years old and was taken on a holiday by his grandfather and mother to Spain.
After being found by the delivery driver, Fabien Accidini, Batty contacted his grandmother through Accidini’s Facebook account and shared the urge to come back home.
“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,” he said in the message.
According to the police, Batty, his mother and his grandfather had moved from house to house, carrying their own solar panels, growing their own food, living with other families, meditating and contemplating reincarnation and other esoteric subjects.
The teenager decided to put an end to his roaming, parting ways with his mother after she told him she wanted them to move again– to Finland.
After parting ways with his mother and grandfather, Alex was constantly on the move until he was found by delivery driver Fabien Accidini.
The family has confirmed Batty’s identity, and he is expected to return to England.
In a statement, Alex’s grandmother Susan Caruana, who is also his legal guardian, 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,” she added.
Requesting privacy for the family, she added: “The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child.”
