Typically, children look to their guardians for warmth, support, and affection. In the hugs and guidance of their parents, they find the security to grow, learn, and thrive. Unfortunately, not every parent is ready to go the extra mile for their child’s happiness.

The sad reality is that some parents turn their backs, leaving children to fend for themselves instead of caring for them.

A heartbreaking story from southwest France demonstrates exactly what a parent should never be.

For a grueling two years, a young boy, just nine years old at the start, had to manage life on his own after his mother abandoned the apartment they shared. Despite facing numerous challenges, he showed remarkable resourcefulness and determination.

After months of managing on his own, observant neighbors began to question whether the boy was truly living by himself. Yet, he always appeared neatly dressed and excelled at school, leaving his teachers and classmates without cause for concern.

Within his own home, however, the boy faced dire times. Bereft of electricity or hot water, his diet mostly consisted of canned food and tomatoes, along with some other vegetables he either picked from nearby gardens or received from generous neighbors.

In a twist of irony, his mother resided just 5 kilometers away in another town, rarely checking on him or offering help. The boy’s father’s involvement was vague, seemingly non-existent.

It took almost two years before a concerned neighbor finally reported the boy’s situation to the authorities.

The full extent of the situation was revealed during court proceedings, with phone records highlighting how absent his mother had been. Although she denied abandoning her son, neighbors confirmed her prolonged absence.

The court found the mother guilty of neglecting and abandoning her child, sentencing her to 18 months in prison, while the boy was placed in foster care.

In foster care? His mother’s visits were infrequent, with only a single visit, leading him to decide, as he approached his teenage years, that severing ties with her was the best choice for his future.