Oldham schoolboy who went missing in Spain six years ago found alive in France

Alex Batty, who disappeared in 2017 in Spain with his mother and grandfather, has allegedly been found alive in the South of France, ITV News Correspondent Lucy Watson reports

A schoolboy who disappeared in 2017 in Spain with his mother and grandfather, has been found alive in the South of France. 

Alex Batty from Oldham was 11-years-old when he failed to return home from a holiday to Spain in October with his mother Melanie Batty, 37, and his grandfather David Batty, 58.

Now more than six years after his disappearance, French police have confirmed the teenager has been found.

According to reports, he is “well and providing information”.

At the time Alex went missing the schoolboy's grandmother, Susan Caruana, said she believed her daughter and ex-husband took him to live an "alternative lifestyle" abroad.

According to the lorry driver who found Alex in Revel, near Toulouse, the teenager had been living with a “spiritual” community.

The driver told French newspaper La Depeche the teenager had been living in the community in Spain before arriving in France in 2021.

His mum, Melanie, and grandfather, David, have not been located but are wanted by police in connection with Alex’s disappearance.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it is in contact with French authorities.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.” 

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are supporting a British national in France and are in contact with local authorities.”

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