French police have arrested a suspicious couple following the death of 15-month-old twin sisters in Beuvrages, in northern France. The children were found unconscious by their parents, who called the emergency services.
The main line of investigation points to a possible dehydration caused by the high temperatures recorded in the room where the girls were. The cause of death will be confirmed by autopsy tests.
In addition to the twins, the couple’s other four children, aged between 3 and 6, have been hospitalized with signs of dehydration, but are not at risk of death. The residence was isolated by authorities, who are investigating the case as suspicion of negligence resulting in the death of children under 15 years of age.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Valenciennes, the parents, aged 35 and 32, They do not have a criminal record and the family was not supported by social assistance services.
The mayor of Beuvrages said the family was considered well integrated into the community and had recently moved into a new home. The case occurs amid the intense heat wave that has hit France and several European countries in recent weeks.
*With information from AFP
