Grandparents arrested for murder of toddler who disappeared from their garden

LA BOUILLADISSE, France (BFMTV) - The investigation into the disappearance and death of a French toddler, Émile Soleil, has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of his grandparents on suspicion of murder. The two-year-old went missing from his grandparents' garden in Le Haut-Vernet, a small village in the French Alps, in July 2023. Nine months later, his remains were discovered by a hiker in the vicinity.

The arrests were made in La Bouilladisse, where Émile's grandfather, Philippe Vedovini, and his unnamed wife are accused of voluntary homicide and concealing a corpse, according to the Aix-en-Provence prosecutor's office. Additionally, two of their adult children are also in police custody as the investigation widens.

Émile's disappearance captivated France, leading to extensive search efforts that ultimately yielded no immediate clues. On the day he vanished, his parents were not present, expressing their continued hope for a miracle in light of the tragedy.

Media scrutiny has intensified surrounding the case, particularly due to past allegations against Émile's grandfather, who was questioned in the 1990s regarding violence and sexual assault at a private institution. Nevertheless, his previous legal troubles had not led to any conclusive link to Émile’s case until now.

As the investigation continues, forensic teams have been revisiting key locations in Le Vernet, conducting searches in several areas. The prosecutor has confirmed that operations are ongoing, and further updates are expected as new evidence comes to light.