The French police fear that two-year-old Emile may be dead and his body hidden after an accident involving a car or tractor, chillingly echoing the plot of the BBC series The Missing. The search for Emile continues, with helicopters broadcasting his mother's voice in an attempt to draw him out of hiding. The hamlet of Haut-Vernet has been closed off to non-residents after unsuccessful searches for the missing boy, who disappeared while on holiday with his grandparents.

Despite extensive efforts involving hundreds of personnel, including sniffer dogs and drones, the police now admit they need to consider other possibilities. The situation is reminiscent of the BBC series The Missing, in which a young boy is run over and hidden in a car boot by a driver who thinks he is dead. The search for Emile continues, with hopes that he may be found alive and hidden in the countryside.

However, police are also exploring the possibility of kidnapping. Emile's mother has called for prayers for his safe return. As the search enters its fourth day, there are no leads as to the boy's whereabouts, and police are adapting the search strategy to be more targeted. The family had been preparing to leave when Emile disappeared from his grandparents' garden. Despite witnesses coming forward, no new evidence has been found. The area around Le Vernet is popular with hikers and surrounded by forest, making the search challenging. Emile is described as having brown eyes, blond hair, and was last seen wearing a yellow top, white shorts with a green pattern, and hiking shoes.