Missing French toddler: Police facing backlash over theory that Émile may have been taken by a bird

Where has little Émile gone? Since late afternoon on Saturday July 8, the two-and-a-half-year-old boy has been nowhere to be found. A large-scale search force has been deployed in the village of Le Vernet, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France.

While the preliminary investigation continues on Tuesday, July 18, no theory is favored and none is ruled out. Investigators looked into little Emile's family, but no arrests have been made so far. The latest theory from the police is sending Internet users over the edge.

Internet users outraged by the investigation

Accident, murder, kidnapping... At this stage, investigators do not wish to favour or rule out any particular lead. According to French media BFMTV, several investigations were carried out in the Vernet area over the weekend. According to a source close to the case, several hypotheses are being put forward: the accidental lead, the criminal lead with the intervention of a third party (abduction, accident), the family lead, but also the animal lead, notably with a possible bird abduction...

This last theory, rather atypical, has scandalized Internet users.

This tweet translates to:

In all my life, I would never have believed that one day a bird would be accused of kidnapping... it's a scenario you don't even see in cartoons.

Others have clearly highlighted the irony of the situation.

Have they excluded the Beast of Gévaudan?

Read more:Missing French toddler: 2 boys vanished from same region 34 years before Émile's disappearance

Internet users outraged by the investigation

Some went even further, attacking the investigators, calling them 'incompetent'.

My son disappears, you tell me that the lead being considered is a bird kidnapping, I'll smash your face in.

One Twitter user lectured the investigators, telling them to look elsewhere for answers.

I'm hallucinating! After the runaway theory, the investigation doesn't rule out any possibility for #Émile, including a wolf attack or bird abduction. You've got to be kidding! Go and look into child trafficking networks!

If you have any information concerning the disappearance, you can always provide useful information to the investigation via the following e-mail address: disparitionemile04@gendarmerie.interieur.gouv.fr.

Read more:Missing French toddler: Émile's uncle in the spotlight after 'angry' encounter with journalist

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.

Source used:

BFMTV: PISTES, AUDITIONS... OÙ EN EST L'ENQUÊTE SUR LA DISPARITION DU PETIT ÉMILE?