World4 min(s) read
Published 15:43 10 Aug 2026 GMT
A missing boy who had disappeared for six years after escaping a remote commune where he had been living with his mother and grandfather, made a four-word admission to the man who rescued him.
Alex had traveled to Marbella with his mother, Melanie Batty, and grandfather, David Batty, for what was supposed to be a week-long trip, but Alex never returned home.
In December 2023, six years after he vanished, a 17-year-old Alex was discovered walking through the Pyrenees by French student Fabien Accidini, who worked part-time delivering medicines by lorry.
Alex had reportedly been walking for four days as he attempted to escape the spiritual commune where he had been living with his mother and grandfather.
Fabien told French outlet La Dépêche that he first noticed the teenager walking alone in heavy rain.
“He was quite tall and blond, and dressed in black jeans, a white sweater and a backpack,” he recalled.
“He also carried a skateboard under his arm and a flashlight for lighting.”
Fabien initially passed Alex, but after seeing him again, decided to stop and ask whether he required a lift.
“During the first few minutes, he seemed a little shy. We tried to speak in French but I noticed that he had not mastered the language,” Fabien said.
“I decided to communicate in English. When I asked him his name, he pretended his name was Zach, and then we continued chatting. We talked for over three hours.”
Alex eventually revealed who he really was.
“Very quickly, he gave me his real identity - Alex Batty – before telling me his story.”
The teenager was able to use Fabien's phone to contact his grandmother.
The driver then alerted police because he was concerned about Alex's welfare.
It was later revealed that after leaving Spain, Alex had initially lived in a luxury property with around 10 other people before the group moved to France in 2021.
Now 20, Alex has spoken publicly about his childhood and disappearance in a BBC documentary, Kidnapped by My Mum.
He revealed that he recently contacted his mother for the first time since escaping the commune.
“My relationship with my mum, it’s such a complicated thing,” he said.
“I’m annoyed at what she did… the experiences I missed out on and my lack of education.”
After reflecting on his childhood, Alex decided to send Melanie a message.
“I know how much you care about me and how all you wanted to do was protect me. I love both of you,” he wrote.
Following Alex's return to Britain, police launched an investigation into Melanie and David over suspected kidnapping.
However, Greater Manchester Police eventually closed the case in January 2025 without making any arrests.
Alex had repeatedly told authorities that he did not want his mother or grandfather to be imprisoned, while other family members were understood to have shared those concerns.
Initially, Alex even lied to police about where they were, claiming his mother had gone to Finland and that his grandfather had died.
“I was scared they were going to find my mum and my grandad,” he explained in the documentary.
“I lied through my teeth. I don’t like lying, but back then, I did whatever I needed to, to protect my mom and grandad.”
He added: “As the victim, I feel like I should have a say in what happens.”
Police ultimately said there was “no realistic chance of criminal prosecution.”
Fabien later recalled the moment Alex opened up about what had happened to him.
After picking up the teenager and speaking with him for several hours, the French driver heard the chilling four-word revelation: “My mother kidnapped me.”
It remains unclear exactly when Alex came to understand the full extent of what had happened.
His grandmother had previously recalled receiving a video from Melanie featuring herself, Alex and David after they failed to return from their trip.
“On the Sunday, they were due back in the afternoon and my husband was going to go and pick them up. I got this message on Facebook and it was a YouTube video of the three of them,” Susan told The Sun in 2018.
“They all spoke on it and Melanie said the reasons why they had done what they had done. Alex said it was a million times better being with his mum and grandad.”
Susan said her concerns quickly outweighed the hurt caused by Alex's comments.
“The reason I believe they have done this is because basically my lifestyle, my belief systems, are not what they agree with – just simply living day to day, how normal people do.”
She added: “They didn’t want him to go to school, they don’t believe in mainstream school.”
