Portuguese police have taken into custody the mother and stepfather of two young French children who were allegedly abandoned in central Portugal, state broadcaster RTP reported on Thursday.
The two adults, a 41-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man, were taken to a police station for questioning after a passer-by recognized them on the terrace of a cafe in the pilgrimage town of Fátima and alerted authorities, RTP reported, citing the National Republican Guard.
The pair is suspected of offences related to domestic violence as well as child abandonment and neglect, RTP said, citing a statement from police.
Authorities linked the case to two young brothers aged three and five who were found crying and alone on a remote road in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, about 60 kilometres south-east of Lisbon, on Tuesday evening.
Portuguese media reported that the children had entered Portugal only days earlier with their mother and stepfather.
According to CNN Portugal, the children had been living with their father in France and were allegedly abducted by their mother. The boys' biological father had reported them missing in France, the report said.
