An investigation into "mistreatment facts" will be opened by the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor's office after the suspension of seven employees from a children's home managed by the department of Ain, we learned Friday from judicial sources. "An investigation will be ordered for acts of ill-treatment which have been denounced by the departmental council", declared to the AFP the public prosecutor of Bourg-en-Bresse, Christophe Rode.
The day before, a press release from the Andinese departmental council had reported "proven dysfunctions" on the part of educational agents "in the care and support of a group of 10 children from 3 to 6 years". No other details, including on the exact nature of the alleged facts, were provided by the same source, nor by the prosecution.
Psychological support put in place
The facts were revealed on June 12 to the president of the departmental council, Jean Deguerry, after initial investigations by the establishment's management. The latter lodged a complaint Monday with the prosecutor, after having previously suspended the employees concerned, against whom disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated, according to the Departmental Council.
"Psychological support" has been set up in this Maison de l'Enfance "to support children according to their needs". In addition, "an individual interview" was offered Thursday to the families of the children concerned "in order to expose the facts and take into account their concerns," said the same source. The other families and employees were also informed of the situation.
Spread over three sites, the main of which is located in Bourg-en-Bresse, the Maison de l'Enfance de l'Ain welcomes a total of 110 children and 9 women who are pregnant or have a young child. She also accompanies 27 children to their homes. It will be the subject, "as soon as possible", of an audit on its organization and its working methods, according to the departmental council.