Pamplemousses - Forgotten at the Botanical Garden: Three-Year-Old Child Allowed to Return to His Center

Kendy Antoine

Saturday, 20/12/2025 - 16:00

An image shows the botanical garden where a three-year-old child was found alone.

A confusion is believed to be the cause of the incident.

The three-year-old boy, who was forgotten at the botanical garden on Tuesday and admitted for observation at SSRN hospital, was discharged on Thursday. The child has returned to the care center where he resides in Quatre-Bornes.

However, before being allowed to leave, the boy underwent medical examinations. The attending physician confirmed that the child was in good health and well cared for. Additionally, a psychologist from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare visited the hospital to assess his mental state. The professional concluded that he did not suffer from any psychological consequences. Thus, he received the green light from the doctors to leave the facility and returned to live with the other residents of the specialized institution.

The investigation, initially treated as a case of child neglect, took a different turn. Following the incident where the child was found wandering alone in the botanical garden on Tuesday, police interviewed an employee from the care center. She stated that with fifteen residents, they had come to spend some time at the garden. However, once the day was over, some were supposed to take a minibus while others, including the child, were to return by car. It turns out there was a mix-up, with everyone believing that the child was in the other vehicle. Ultimately, the boy did not get into either of the vehicles made available to them.

The woman explained that it was only upon returning to the center that she was informed the boy was missing and that the Pamplemousses police had already taken charge of the child. After her interview, she was allowed to leave.