Paris – June 13, 2026: Jérôme Varella, a 34-year-old man from Paris, was detained on June 10, 2026, and charged with the kidnapping of Rianna and multiple counts of child sexual abuse. Investigations revealed that he is suspected of sexually abusing several children over the past years. To protect the privacy of the victims, the exact details of the charges have not been disclosed by the authorities. The Rianna kidnapping incident occurred on June 5, 2026. Rianna, a 9-year-old schoolgirl, was forcibly dragged into a car and kidnapped by Varella while returning home from school. Thanks to intensive investigations and public tips, Rianna was safely found on June 8, 2026, in a ruined building near Paris. Varella was arrested the same day. During the investigation, formal complaints were also filed against Jérôme’s brother Yannick Varella and their father. 32-year-old Yannick was questioned by the police on June 12, 2026, but was not detained. He is suspected of sexually harassing minors, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the accusations. Their 58-year-old father (whose name is withheld for legal reasons) was summoned for police questioning on June 13, 2026. He is suspected of failing to report his son’s criminal acts despite being aware of them. According to French law, there is a mandatory reporting duty for certain crimes, especially those involving child sexual offenses. The investigation into the father is at an early stage, and it is currently being examined whether any violations occurred. The Varella family had not previously attracted attention for any particular issues. Jérôme Varella worked as an IT specialist for a small company, and Yannick was an elementary school teacher. Their father worked as an engineer in the automotive industry. After the allegations became known, both brothers were suspended from their jobs by their employers. The investigation is being conducted by the Paris Criminal Police under the direction of Police Chief Claire Dubois. At a press conference, Chief Dubois emphasized, “We take these charges very seriously and will take all necessary measures to uncover the truth and deliver justice to the victims.” Rianna’s family expressed relief that their daughter was rescued and thanked the investigative authorities. In a statement, they said, “We are infinitely grateful that our daughter has returned to us. We hope the perpetrators will be held accountable.” The public was asked to provide further information to the authorities to assist in solving the case. The police emphasized that the victim’s identity will be protected and that all information will be treated confidentially.
Nachrichten.fr · June 13, 2026