Alex Batty says he knows where his mum is and says grandad 'is still alive'
Alex Batty has revealed both his mum and grandad are still alive and has spoken out telling them he's “very happy”.
The 17-year-old arrived back in the UK on Saturday after he was picked up walking along a road in rural France. He had been missing for more than six years after originally failing to return from a holiday to Spain with mum Melanie and grandad David in 2017.
Now safely back home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with gran and legal guardian Susan Caruana, Alex has spoken fully for the first time as he revealed he had known since he was 16 it was time to move back to the UK. He said, despite claims from French prosecutor Antoine Leroy that grandad David Batty died six months ago, he was in fact still alive.
“I know he’s not passed away but I don’t know where he is because he was just moving around,” Alex told The Sun. He said he had been with them both just two days before Alex's escape at the Cafe des Sports in Chalabre, southern France.
The teen has also said his mum is a “great person” but not necessarily a good mother in the interview. The family of three had been living a nomadic lifestyle since October 2017 when the youngster was first reported missing aged just 11, and later decided he want to come home to complete his studies and get some qualifications.
Missing British boy who vanished in Spain 6 years ago found alive in France
Alex went missing with Melanie and David in 2017 and are pictured here in this video they released the following year (Enterprise News and Pictures)Before leaving Melanie, he wrote a note to his family telling them he loved them before going on the run, where he was eventually found by Samaritan driver Fabien Accidini. Alex added that his mum Melanie “had been talking with friends about going to see the Northern Lights in Finland”. He said: “I don’t know if she’s gone there but she definitely planned to.”
Locals in France have told reporters that Melanie had been known by the name Rose. It's understood the 43-year-old fled after Alex's story hit headlines and remains wanted by authorities.
Alex said, in a message to both his mum and grandad: “I'd tell them I love them. I'm sorry for leaving but it was necessary for my future. All's good - happy. Very happy actually.” He also said ”you know I can take care of myself," adding, ”hope you guys stay safe”.
Greater Manchester Police has since confirmed it is investigating Alex's disappearance, with the teen saying he feared his mother may be arrested. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said in a statement: “Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family in partnership with other local agencies to ensure they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his reintegration with society is as easy as possible.
“We are yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, understand that this may be an overwhelming process. He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person."
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