Kidnapped by my mum: BBC

[evrievri]

Has anyone watched this documentary about the abduction of Alex batty?
Shocking stuff. I felt so sorry for the poor lad. The most formative years of his life wasted . I’m amazed how mature he is for his age and after everything he’s been through

it raised such interesting questions about grooming, radicalisation, and cults, as well as maternal abandonment, abuse, neglect and exploitation. I wish him a good life.

For me, it was interesting because we tend to say that parents do the best they can "according to their lights" ... but that's tricky when a parent is delusional and dogmatic and determined. I kept thinking of Paul Theroux's Mosquito Coast!

Just watched this, I felt so sorry for him. He seemed so conflicted - I could see the anger towards his mum, but he still loved her. I know that feeling so well.

Absolutely abhorrent the way she forced him to sleep in that tent and work to keep her.

The authorities also let him down so badly. There were two opportunities to help him - when the campsite owners reported them, and when the college did, and he was failed both times. Absolutely shocking.

I saw him on BBC Breakfast few days and he seemed like an amazing young man.

I watched this after seeing that BBC breakfast interview with him - I was so shocked at how well balanced and mature he seemed. There was a hint of resentment/regret perhaps but ultimately he just wants to get on with his life (he's a dad now!). He said he really needed a job and I just hope someone saw him on that and had something to offer him.

Really frustrating that the French authorities said they couldn't do anything despite a couple of people wanting to try to help, and of course loads of people who said nothing because they themselves were living under the radar.

True, very mosquito coast, it's on apple tv.

Having watched this programme but more importently listened to Alex I want to tell him he is an extrodinary human being. Despite what he's been through he's still doesn't wish ill to his mother and grandfarther. His lovely gran is simple the best example of what love is all about. I hope he finds a good job - if I was an employer I'd be proud to have Alex working for me. He is one amazing young man. (Patrick - Holywood, N. I.)

I'm also not sure what charges/jail would achieve. Hi mum is clearly a wildly unfit parent but I imagine her capacity to reflect and develop insight into her wrongdoings is close to zero, she's living in her own world. But she's not a danger to anyone else and Alex doesn't want it anyway.

I wish Alex well, I'm sure he still has a way to go to come to terms with it all but he's doing really well. Congratulations to him on becoming a dad.