- An investigation report reveals serious failings in the gendarmerie and justice system in the French department of Gers after the murder of eleven-year-old Lyhanna.
- A rape complaint against the suspect Jérôme B. was not treated as a priority – the accused was never questioned.
- Prime Minister Lecornu speaks of a “chain of failure”; two gendarmerie officers were forcibly transferred.
After the death of the eleven-year-old Lyhanna An investigation report has revealed serious failings in the police and judiciary in the French department of Gers. Inspectors conclude that the urgency of the cases was not recognized and dealt with appropriately.
The handling of an advertisement from August 2025 is particularly serious: the mother of ten-year-old Rosa had Jerome B. accused of raping her daughter around 50 times. According to the report, the complaint was not classified as a priority, was passed back and forth between different authorities and the accused was never interviewed – even though there were already several allegations of sexual violence against children against him.
French government reacts
The French government reacted with the first personnel consequences, such as RTS reported. Two gendarmerie officers were forcibly transferred and released from criminal police duties. Disciplinary measures were taken against a public prosecutor; For the time being, she is no longer allowed to process cases involving minors.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu spoke of a “chain of failure” that consisted of mistakes, negligence and inaction. The state will clarify responsibilities and draw conclusions. At the same time, the government emphasized that the case should not lead to the entire judiciary or the police being placed under general suspicion.
The Lyhanna case has sparked new protests in France. Activists and relatives are calling for better protection for victims of sexual violence. An affected family also announced that they would sue the state for serious breaches of duty.
Autopsy: DNA from Jérôme B. found
During the autopsy of 11-year-old Lyhanna, investigators found traces of the suspect’s DNA on the victim’s body. Investigators said last Friday that the girl had been gagged with adhesive tape and had bruises, particularly on her left temple. The cause of death has not yet been formally determined.
The girl’s body was found in a grain silo on June 4, six days after she disappeared. She was last seen on surveillance camera images in the car of 41-year-old Jérôme B., the father of a friend.
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