A 41-year-old father has been charged on Monday with abduction and sequestration of a minor following the disappearance of 11-year-old Lyhanna on Friday in Fleurance in the Gers region.
The schoolgirl was last seen on Friday around 3 p.m. leaving her college in Fleurance. She was in the vehicle of a 41-year-old man, father of a classmate. Searches continue with 170 to 180 gendarmes deployed.
The suspect was taken into custody on Saturday and brought before the court in Agen on Monday. Presented to the investigating magistrate, he chose not to speak. His statements about dropping the girl at the swimming pool were deemed incoherent by investigators. The prosecutor noted no evidence suggests a voluntary departure.
Colonel Philippe de Laforcade stated that law enforcement maintains maximum engagement and is expanding the search perimeter. He added that hope remains of finding Lyhanna alive.
