A couple was arrested in Valencia after their baby disappeared in Tarragona. Police searching their home found 28 malnourished dogs and dead animals. The search for the missing child is ongoing.
Police in Valencia have arrested a couple at Estación del Norte, following a court order from Tarragona related to the disappearance—and suspected homicide—of their baby in Santa Bàrbara. The arrest took place at 8:35 a.m. after several days of concern about the child, whose whereabouts are still unknown. According to El País and Europa Press, a court in Amposta issued the warrant based on evidence linking the couple to the case.
The investigation began after the baby’s grandfather filed a complaint, leading Mossos d’Esquadra to seal off the family’s home in Santa Bàrbara. Inside, officers found 28 dogs suffering from malnutrition and poor hygiene, along with the remains of other animals. The grandfather, who had met the couple’s other five children, told police he had never seen the missing baby. This detail, reported by Infobae and Europa Press, raised further questions about what happened to the child.
At the time of the search, no human remains had been found in the Santa Bàrbara home, despite extensive efforts by investigators.
The couple is now awaiting a court appearance. The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña (TSJC) has declared the investigation secret, citing the seriousness of the case and the need to protect the ongoing search. Police continue to search the property for any sign of the child, and the home has been sealed since Friday. Authorities have not released further details to avoid compromising the investigation.
In a separate case, Mossos d’Esquadra are also investigating the discovery of a deceased minor in a residential building on Calle Llevant, in the La Mina neighborhood of Sant Adrià del Besòs. The body, found inside a bag by a cleaning worker, has added to concerns about child welfare in Catalonia.
Animal neglect and child endangerment have appeared repeatedly in recent Spanish news, as seen in a previous investigation into criminal negligence and public safety risks. The Santa Bàrbara case stands out for its combination of suspected homicide, animal cruelty, and lack of family oversight.
The investigation was triggered when the paternal grandfather reported to police that his daughter-in-law had allegedly informed him of the baby’s death and claimed the child was buried at home in a cardboard box. This testimony became a key element in launching the criminal proceedings.
With the investigation under strict confidentiality, the outcome will depend on forensic findings and whether authorities can reconstruct what happened to the child. The number of neglected animals raises questions about missed warning signs by neighbors or local services. In Spain, cases like this often lead to calls for closer monitoring of at-risk households and stronger intervention protocols. Despite existing laws, enforcement gaps remain, leaving children and animals vulnerable to harm. The Santa Bàrbara case highlights the consequences when these failures go unaddressed.
