He Says Partner Hid Pregnancy. Then He Opened the Boxes

A domestic argument in southern France has led to a homicide probe after a man opened some cardboard boxes in his apartment and reportedly found the remains of multiple infants. Prosecutors say after a tiff with his wife over what was in the boxes, the 32-year-old discovered the suspected newborn remains on Sunday in the home he shares with her in the town of Orange, after she'd just delivered a healthy baby boy there and been taken to a hospital with abdominal pain, per People and Fox News.

Police later found a decomposing body and bones in the boxes, per People and France 24. A forensic pathologist at the scene concluded that the remains likely belonged to five newborns. Investigators say the man told them he hadn't known his partner was pregnant this time until the last minute, nor about any previous pregnancies that may be tied to the remains. A murder investigation is underway, and autopsies have been ordered.

Investigators hadn't yet spoken to the mother as of Thursday. The couple's two older children, ages 8 and 9, are being assessed by child welfare services, and the newborn has been placed under provisional protective care, per People. Neighbors described the couple as quiet and ordinary to AFP. Police haven't released the pair's names, and the inquiry is ongoing.