Lyhanna Affair: Report on Possible Failures and Warning Against the Myth of the Lying Child

Paris – 06/22/2026: Today, a report is being published that deals with possible failures in the case of the murdered eleven-year-old Lyhanna. Child psychiatrist Eugénie Izard warns against the widespread myth of the lying child and emphasizes the importance of believing children’s statements.

Lyhanna disappeared in late May 2026 in the Département Gers and was found dead on June 4 in a grain silo. The autopsy confirmed rape, with the DNA of the main suspect Jérôme Barella identified on her body. The 41-year-old had a previous criminal record for sexual abuse of minors but remained free due to failures within the judicial and administrative systems.

Investigations showed that Barella had been listed in police databases since 2017 after it became known that he had a concerning relationship with a minor girl. Despite these indications, no charges were filed. In 2021, he was expelled from a school due to “inappropriate behavior” towards a female student, without proper notification to the authorities. Initial rape accusations were made in October 2022, with further complaints in 2025 and 2026 from different regions, all involving victims under 15 years old.

Despite incriminating forensic and psychological evidence, slow procedures and poor communication among authorities prevented a timely resolution. The gendarmerie admitted systemic errors. Additionally, accusations against Barella’s father and brother for similar sexual offenses have surfaced. These revelations have led to growing public outrage, protests, and a government investigation into the role of the justice system in this case. Calls for accountability reach up to the highest levels of government.

Eugénie Izard, a child psychiatrist from Toulouse, appeals to society to listen to children. She challenges the common prejudice that children often lie and cites studies showing false accusations in only two to six percent of cases. Izard criticizes that trust in children has been weakened since the Outreau case and calls for a rethink in how children’s statements are handled.

The French government has initiated an investigation to identify possible institutional failures. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced an “administrative investigation” into failures in handling the rape allegations against Barella. The report published today is expected to provide insights into structural deficiencies within the judiciary.

Lyhanna’s family, represented by their lawyer Maître François Roujou de Boubée, expressed disappointment with the authorities and requests privacy. Society eagerly awaits the investigation results, which should help improve procedures and hopefully prevent similar tragedies in the future.