Failures of the Gendarmerie in the case of Lyhanna's disappearance spark outrage

Fleurance – 06/08/2026: The small community of Fleurance in southern France is still shaken after the mysterious disappearance of eleven-year-old Lyhanna on May 29, 2026. At the center of the investigations is Jérôme B., a 41-year-old local man, currently in police custody. The latest revelations about his past cause outrage and raise serious doubts about the actions of the Gendarmerie.

As early as August 2025, the mother of a ten-year-old girl from the neighborhood had filed a complaint for repeated sexual abuse against Jérôme B. The abuses reportedly occurred over several months between 2024 and 2025 in Gers. Despite these serious accusations, the defendant was never questioned and the investigations have stalled since then.

The Toulouse Prosecutor’s Office took over the case only in November 2025, after the complaint was initially received by the Gendarmerie of Plaisance-du-Touch. In December of the same year, the proceedings were transferred to the judicial authorities of Auch and finally, in January 2026, returned to the Gendarmerie of Lectoure, without Jérôme B. ever being officially summoned.

This oversight caused great disappointment among the victims’ families. The mother of the involved girl denounced the authorities’ lack of determination. Her daughter had already shown disturbing questions on the topic of sexuality, increasing the family’s concern, but this did not lead to a swift start of the investigations.

In view of these serious shortcomings, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin have ordered a thorough administrative investigation. The aim is to clarify any errors and omissions in handling the original sexual abuse complaint. The investigations are conducted by the General Inspectorate of Justice in collaboration with the General Inspectorate of the Gendarmerie.

Meanwhile, the investigations into the recent disappearance complaint of Lyhanna continue at a rapid pace. Jérôme B. was arrested on June 2 on charges of kidnapping and depriving a minor of liberty. During the arrest, he gave contradictory and unclear statements, which further alarmed the investigators.

The residents of Fleurance are deeply shaken by the events and are calling for a complete clarification. “It is shocking how such lapses could have happened,” commented a resident. Lyhanna’s family still hopes for a quick end to the ordeal and resolution of the case.

The authorities are under great pressure to solve the case quickly and transparently. Further investigations must clarify the reasons for the delays and whether organizational shortcomings within the Gendarmerie played a role. The case highlights the difficulties in managing sensitive proceedings related to the protection of minors.