A couple from Rohrbach-lès-Bitche in France’s Moselle department have been formally charged in connection with allegations of sexual abuse, rape, attempted rape, and other mistreatment of children who were placed in their home as foster parents. The individuals, aged 71 and 69, were charged on 21 August 2026 after French prosecutors launched an investigation.
The investigation began in 2022 when one former foster child filed a complaint. Investigators subsequently tracked down around 50 people who had lived with the family during their years as foster parents. Of those, 26 individuals told police they had suffered violence or sexual abuse while in the couple’s care. The accusations relate to a period spanning roughly 20 years, from 1997 to 2016.
The couple were initially remanded in custody, but after an appeal were released from pre-trial detention. They deny all the allegations. Both remain under judicial supervision while the investigation continues.
Rohrbach-lès-Bitche is located about 40km from Saarbrücken and 120km from the Luxembourg border.
