Paris – 13.06.2026: Jérôme Barella, a 34-year-old man from Paris, was taken into custody on June 10, 2026, and charged with the abduction of Lyhanna and multiple sexual abuses of children. Investigations revealed that he allegedly sexually abused several children over the past years. The exact details of the accusations have not been released by the authorities to protect the privacy of the victims.
The abduction of Lyhanna occurred on June 5, 2026. The 9-year-old student was on her way home from school when Barella dragged her into a car and kidnapped her. After intensive investigations and tips from the public, Lyhanna was found safe on June 8, 2026, in an abandoned building near Paris. Barella was arrested the same day.
In the course of the investigations, reports were also filed against Jérôme’s brother, Yannick Barella, and his father. Yannick, 32 years old, was questioned by the police on June 12, 2026, but was not detained. He faces accusations of sexually harassing minors. The investigations are ongoing to clarify the exact extent of the allegations.
The 58-year-old father, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, was summoned by the police on June 13, 2026. He is accused of being aware of his son’s actions and not reporting them. In France, there is a legal obligation to report certain crimes, especially in the area of child sexual abuse. The investigation against the father is still at an early stage, with authorities examining whether criminal conduct is present.
The Barella family had not previously come to public attention. Jérôme Barella worked as an IT specialist in a medium-sized company, while Yannick was employed as a primary school teacher. The father worked as an engineer in the automotive industry. After the accusations became public, both brothers were suspended by their employers.
The investigation is being conducted by the Paris criminal police under the direction of Commissioner Claire Dubois. She emphasized in a press conference: “We take these allegations very seriously and will take all necessary steps to bring the truth to light and do justice to the victims.”
Lyhanna’s family expressed relief over the rescue of their daughter and thanked the investigating authorities for their efforts. In a statement, they said: “We are infinitely grateful that our daughter is back with us. We hope those responsible for their actions will be held accountable.”
The public was asked to assist in clarifying the case and to report any further information to the authorities. The police emphasized that the identity of the victims is protected and that all information is treated confidentially.