Current:Home > reviewsSurpassing:British Teen Alex Batty Breaks His Silence After Disappearing for 6 Years -Capitatum
Surpassing:British Teen Alex Batty Breaks His Silence After Disappearing for 6 Years
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-06 13:46:42
Alex Batty is ready to tell his story after disappearing six years ago.
The SurpassingBritish teenager—who went missing at age 11 during a 2017 trip to Spain with his mom Melanie, 43, and grandfather, David, 64—offered insight into his situation a week after he was found hitchhiking in France on Dec. 13.
"I've been lying to try and protect my mum and grandad but I realize that they're probably gonna get caught anyway," Alex, 17, told The Sun in an interview published Dec. 21. "I didn't get lost. I knew exactly where I was going."
Alex explained he decided to return to Britain because he grew tired of his unstable living conditions.
"I realized it wasn't a great way to live for my future," the teen noted. "Moving around. No friends, no social life. Working, working, work and not studying. That's the life I imagined I would be leading if I were to stay with my mum."
Although Alex said his mom is a good person, he didn't praise her parenting skills.
"She's just not a great mom," he added. "Plain and simple, to be honest. She just doesn't do motherly things that you're supposed to do. She's not very warm and open. You can't really change her beliefs or anything and that's just a pain in the a to deal with."
Earlier this month, Alex was discovered in a mountainous area of southern France after a delivery driver spotted him walking alone in the rain with a flashlight.
According to the Associated Press, the teenager told French investigators he spent the past few years traveling with his mother and grandfather as part of a "spiritual community" and decided go out on his own after his mom told him they were moving to Finland.
As for what made Alex follow through with his plans? He told The Sun he got into "a stupid argument" with his mom.
"I just had enough and thought, 'That's it, I'm leaving,'" he explained. "I wrote a note and said, 'Hey, Mom. I want you to know I love you very much. I'm very thankful for the life that you provided for me over the past few years.'"
His note continued, "'Don't worry about yourself. I'm sure you won't get found. Don't worry about me either. You know I can look after myself. I love you very much. Don't be angry with me. Love Alex.'"
At this time, Alex's mother and grandfather are wanted in connection with his disappearance, NBC News reported Dec. 14.
E! News has also reached out to Greater Manchester Police for additional updates and has not heard back.
While Melanie and David's whereabouts are currently unknown, Alex is back home with his grandmother Susan in Oldham, a town in Greater Manchester, England. She is now his legal guardian.
"The house is different now but still feels the same," Alex told The Sun. "The biggest difference is when I left I was a boy but now I'm 6 feet so I'm too big for the bed. It feels great to be back."
As for what's next? Alex is excited to continue his education.
"I understand a lot of French so I'm not going to let that go," he said. "I'm going to keep on studying. I want to do computer science or cyber security or blockchain development so I'm going to be very busy studying and catching up on things."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (726)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Migrant crossings fall sharply along Texas border, shifting to Arizona and California
- Is Caitlin Clark the best player ... ever? Five questions about Iowa's transcendent guard
- Honolulu police say a 10-year-old girl died from starvation, abuse and neglect
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Cowboys Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith growing very tired of former team's struggles
- 2 dead after small plane crashes into car, creating fiery explosion on Florida highway
- Carl Weathers' Cause Of Death Revealed
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- The Daily Money: How to file taxes free
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wins his second career NFL MVP award
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the latest Pennsylvania House special election
- Finnish airline Finnair ask passengers to weigh themselves before boarding
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at NFL Honors After Visit With King Charles III
- Wife and daughter of John Gotti Jr. charged with assault after fight at high school game
- Manhunt for suspect in fatal shooting of deputy and wounding of another in Tennessee
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
Mandalorian actress Gina Carano sues Disney over firing
Honolulu police say a 10-year-old girl died from starvation, abuse and neglect
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber retires after 13 MLB seasons
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Kylie Kelce Reveals Whether Her and Jason Kelce's Kids Will Be at Super Bowl 2024
Small plane with 5 people aboard makes emergency landing on southwest Florida interstate
30-foot decaying gray whale found washed ashore in Huntington Beach, California after storm