Alex Batty's mum is 'not in Finland' - and vanished after her son was found
The mother of found teen Alex Batty is not in Finland, residents at her former commune have claimed today.
Melanie Batty, 43, is believed to have lived at the "spiritual community" near Chalabre, Aude, in southern France, just a few miles away from where Alex was found last week walking through heavy rain on a rural road. It has been alleged Melanie abducted her son from his gran Susan Caruana legal guardian when she and grandfather David Batty took Alex, then 11, on holiday in 2017.
After he was found, Alex told French police officers his mum had gone to Finland to see the Northern Lights. But residents in the 43-hectare commune, where festivals are held throughout the summer, today claimed Melanie, also known as Rose, didn't leave for Finland.
An expat Briton, who has lived in Chalabre for more than 20 years, said: "Rose has been here until just a few days ago. She finally left the area on Saturday morning. She felt she wasn't safe with all the media attention.
"I don't know where she has gone... I know Rose and her family. She is not in Finland, like it is being said in the press."
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Alex, originally from Oldham, was allegedly taken away by Melanie and David to live an 'alternative lifestyle' (PA)Alex was found exhausted as he walked along the roadside during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Residents in the commune, who live in tents and ramshackle huts, say they saw Melanie and Alex as recently as Saturday December 9. Some in the commune claim they have seen David this month too, though mystery shrouds the grandfather - as Alex has stressed he died earlier this year.
Valentin Petrini, 46, owner of the Café des Sports, in Chalabre, Aude, just outside the commune told Mail Online : "The boy, Alex, was here with his mother and grandfather about ten days ago. it must have been last Saturday, in the afternoon, say at about 2.30pm. They come in from time to time. The mother, Rose, comes inside to charge her phone and use the Wifi.
"Rose introduced me to her father Peter. He is a craftsman in wood. They showed me pictures of his work and said he could do any repairs that were needed. His work looked good but to be honest I can do that myself."
Alex is now living in Lancashire with Susan Caruana, pictured, his legal guardian (CHRIS NEILL)Alex, now aged 17, was reunited with his grandmother Ms Caruana, who is his legal guardian, in Oldham, Greater Manchester on Saturday night. She said: "I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well. I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again. I can’t wait to see him when we’re reunited.
"The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child. I would ask that our family are given privacy as we welcome Alex back, so we can make this process as comforting as possible."
Despite her joy, mystery still shrouds Alex's disappearance as the Mirror detailed today. After police involvement, Alex's family was made aware of the discovery and that video call - believed to have been the first interaction Alex and Ms Caruana had had in six years - was a magical moment. Joy, relief and bewilderment dawned, all in the space of minutes.
Greater Manchester Police are currently considering whether to launch a criminal investigation into his disappearance, it is understood.
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