Report on the Lyhanna Affair: Lawyer from Innocence en Danger Fears “Fundamental Changes”

Paris – 06/23/2026: A recently published report from the French Ministry of Justice and the national Gendarmerie highlights severe failures in the handling of the case involving 11-year-old Lyhanna, who was murdered in May 2026. The report identifies a series of errors and negligence that allowed the main suspect, Jérôme Barella, to remain free despite multiple allegations of sexual abuse against minors.

The report notes that the case of Rosa, another 11-year-old who accused Barella of repeated sexual abuse in 2025, was initially processed promptly by the Gendarmerie in Plaisance-du-Touch and the Prosecutor’s Office in Toulouse. However, the case was later transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office in Auch, where significant delays and communication problems occurred. The investigation files were only sent 22 days after the transfer from Toulouse to Auch, which is considered a relatively long delay. Still, the Auch prosecutor’s office was not informed by email or phone about the urgency of the case, leading to further delays.

Another critical point was the overload at the Auch prosecutor’s office. Between December 2, 2025, and January 9, 2026, the deputy prosecutor had to be on call for 11 days, conduct seven court hearings, and attend about ten different meetings. Additionally, she supervised cases involving violence against children, general crimes, violent offenses, and murder cases. The number of cases of sexual violence against minors in Auch in 2025 was 167, significantly higher than the average for comparable jurisdictions.

Despite the severity of the allegations and the available evidence, including a gynecological report confirming Rosa’s statements, Barella was only arrested after Lyhanna’s murder. The report criticizes the lack of urgency and inadequate coordination among different authorities, which ultimately led to Lyhanna’s tragic death.

In response to the report, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized that public authorities must not shy away from their responsibilities. He stressed the need to clearly define accountability and take necessary consequences, including individual responsibility. At the same time, he warned against condemning the entire judiciary or police collectively.

The affair has triggered widespread public outrage in France and reignited discussions about the effectiveness of the justice system in handling cases of sexual violence against children. Measures are now being discussed to prevent such failures in the future and better ensure the safety of minors.