The kidnapping alert plan lifted in the Vosges for 8-year-old Mia

The Abduction Alert device has been lifted for Mia, an eight-year-old girl kidnapped in the Vosges, and the investigation is continuing, the justice ministry said overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

"By decision of the public prosecutor's office in Epinal, the kidnapping alert is ended," the Ministry of Justice announced in a tweet.

"The child has not been found. But her photos should not be released. The investigation is continuing. Thank you all for your help."

Abducted by three men

The device was triggered Tuesday after the child was abducted by three men while she was with her grandmother in the Vosges, according to the gendarmerie and the public prosecutor of Epinal. 

By decision of the public prosecutor's office in Epinal, the kidnapping alert is ended.

The child has not been found.

But his photos should no longer be released.

The investigation is continuing.

Thank you all for your help.

- Ministry of Justice (@justice_gouv) April 13, 2021

The little girl "was kidnapped at Les Poulières in the Vosges on April 13, 2021 around 11:30 am by three European-type men, two aged between 25 and 35, one of whom is said to be carrying a tattoo in the shape of a cross on the level. neck, and a third 45 to 50 years old, "according to the text broadcast.

These men "are likely to travel in an anthracite gray Volkswagen transporter vehicle," he adds.

The child "could be accompanied by his mother"

"The girl was abducted while she was entrusted to her maternal grandmother designated a trusted third party by the children's judge", told AFP the public prosecutor of Epinal Nicolas Heitz who plans to hold a press conference Wednesday.

The child "could be accompanied by her mother Lola Montemaggi who is not allowed to see her alone, 28 years old, 1m70, very thin, shoulder-length light brown hair, two 'star' tattoos inside with a wrist, "added the text of the kidnapping alert.

This woman could travel "on board a black Peugeot 207 vehicle, registered BZ 370 GZ".

The Nancy research section and the Saint-Dié research brigade are responsible for the investigation, said Nicolas Heitz.

What is the kidnapping alert plan? 

The "Abduction Alert" plan is a massive and immediate alert system deployed to assist in the search for a suspected abducted child.

It is largely inspired by the "Amber Alert" plan, created in Texas in 1996, after the kidnapping and murder of little Amber Hagerman.

Adopted in France in February 2006, it consists of launching a massive alert in the event of the abduction of a minor child to mobilize the population in the search for the child and his abductor.

It is only activated if several criteria are met: there must be a proven kidnapping and not a simple disappearance, the victim must be a minor, his physical integrity or his life must be in danger and elements of information must make it possible to locate him. .

Its previous activation dates back to February 2020 for Vanille, a 1-year-old girl kidnapped in Angers.

The girl was found dead the next day in a clothes dumpster and her mother, who suffered from psychiatric disorders, admitted to having killed her child.