Avignon, France – The trial of Aurélie S., 44, began this Thursday before the Assize Court of Vaucluse, focusing on the disturbing case of two newborn infants found frozen in her home in Bédoin in late 2022. She stands accused of homicide, with the investigation revealing a complex and troubling history. The case has gripped France, raising questions about maternal mental health, trauma, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of her children. The trial is expected to continue until March 27th.
The discovery that launched the investigation occurred on November 30, 2022, after an anonymous tip to the Vaucluse gendarmerie. Authorities found the bodies of two baby girls, wrapped in a beige sheet and a pink blanket, inside a freezer at Aurélie S.’s residence in the rural commune of Bédoin, a village of approximately 3,000 people nestled at the foot of Mont Ventoux. The chilling discovery prompted immediate investigation and the arrest of the mother.
The Discovery and Initial Investigation
Following her arrest, Aurélie S. Was placed in preventative detention and subsequently charged with homicide. The investigation was quickly transferred from the Carpentras prosecutor’s office to the criminal pole of the Avignon judicial court, reflecting the gravity of the case. Autopsies were performed to determine the cause and circumstances of the infants’ deaths.
Circumstances of the Deaths
The autopsies revealed that the infants had been in the freezer for nearly four years. The first baby, born in March 2018, reportedly lived for a few days and was fed before dying from a traumatic brain injury, according to France 3 Provence-Alpes. Aurélie S. Told investigators she fell down the stairs while carrying the baby, and when she found the infant unresponsive, she placed the body in the freezer, telling her daughters she had given the baby up for adoption.
The second infant died shortly after birth due to a lack of care, specifically because the umbilical cord was not severed. Aurélie S. Claimed she was unaware of her pregnancy and delivered the baby alone on her couch. She described the birth as hard and bloody. She then placed the second infant’s body in the freezer alongside the first.
A History of Trauma and Multiple Pregnancies
The investigation has uncovered a complex personal history for Aurélie S. She was raised in a strict, religious family, and has had seven pregnancies in total, including one birth under X and one abortion. Her medical care during these pregnancies was often erratic or nonexistent. During psychiatric evaluations, she revealed she was sexually assaulted by a cousin as a child and has experienced chaotic and sometimes violent romantic relationships.
Family Dynamics and Allegations of Violence
Adding another layer of complexity, Aurélie S.’s three daughters have filed a civil complaint against her, alleging instances of violence. Their lawyer, Delphine Galan Daymon, emphasized that the daughters are not supporting their mother and that their relationship is fractured. According to Galan Daymon, the daughters are also considered victims in this case, as they were impacted by the alleged criminal acts.
The defense, led by Me Charlotte Brès, maintains that Aurélie S. Has been consistent in her account and denies any intention of infanticide. However, Me Jean-Marc Geiger, representing the father of the first infant, argues that Aurélie S. Has been dishonest throughout the investigation, stating, “She speaks of an accidental death, she has lied absolutely about everything,” as reported by France 3 Provence-Alpes.
“A Sepulture for Her Dolls”
Aurélie S. Has offered limited explanation for her actions, telling investigators she wanted to provide a “sepulture” for her babies, whom she refers to as “the dolls.” Her lawyer explained that she simply wanted to keep them close. “She said ‘I wasn’t going to deliver them to the pigs of Mont Ventoux,’” Brès stated.
The trial of Aurélie S. Is expected to shed further light on the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of her two daughters and the complex factors that may have contributed to these events. The court will consider evidence related to her mental state, her history of trauma, and the accounts of witnesses, including her daughters. The next scheduled update in the case is the conclusion of the trial on March 27th, when a verdict is expected.
If you or someone you grasp is struggling with maternal mental health, please reach out for help. Resources are available, including the Postpartum Support International helpline at 1-800-944-4773 and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
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