Alex Batty, British boy missing for 6 years, reveals why he fled his mother
Alex Batty, the missing British boy who was found last week walking alone near the French city of Toulouse, has officially told his story — and made corrections to his own earlier statements.
Alex, who is now 17, went missing after a planned trip to Spain with his mother and grandfather in 2017 when he was 11 years old. Neither adult was his legal guardian at the time. This week, Alex returned to live with his grandmother in the U.K., as she was his legal guardian before his disappearance.
On Thursday, Alex told the British tabloid newspaper The Sun that he, his mother and his grandfather had been living a nomadic lifestyle in Spain for the six years he was missing.
He said he decided to leave his family members and their lifestyle behind in pursuit of a better, brighter future.
Alex said his mother and grandfather abducted him because they thought they were doing the right thing.
The teen described his mother, Melanie Batty, as “very anti-government, anti-vax.”
“She was worried that if I were to go back to a country and get my ID I would be put into care,” Alex told the outlet. “Her catchphrase was becoming a ‘slave to the system.'”
In the six years he was missing, Alex never attended school.
The family often moved from residence to residence in Europe, never staying longer than a few months. The family, including Alex, would work odd jobs for their food and rent.
“She’s a great person and I love her but she’s just not a great mom,” Alex said. “I know it came from love. I know it came from a place of protection.”
Alex packed up his belongings and left his mother in the middle of the night without any warning. He told The Sun that he left her a note that said he loved her and not to “worry about me.”
“I love you very
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