Police in Tarragona are investigating the disappearance of a baby from Santa Bàrbara as a possible homicide. A raid on a local house revealed 28 neglected dogs and evidence of dead animals, amid filthy conditions inside. The property, sealed since Friday, is at the center of a case that has unsettled the region and prompted authorities to expand their search for answers.
The case escalated when the Policía Nacional arrested a couple in Valencia at 8:35 a.m. Both were already wanted by a Tarragona court on suspicion of homicide. Their arrest is directly linked to the missing child and followed a report from a family member that set off a multi-agency investigation. Spanish and Catalan media reported that the couple was detained in the Estación del Norte area after a judicial warrant was issued from Tarragona.
Inside the sealed Santa Bàrbara house, Mossos d'Esquadra officers found 28 severely neglected dogs, along with evidence that other animals had died. Despite thorough searches, police initially found no sign of the baby. On September 3, Europa Press reported that bone remains believed to be from an infant had been discovered in the house, strengthening the homicide investigation. The property remains under police control as forensic teams continue to search for evidence about the child's fate.
The legal process is confidential. The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña (TSJC) confirmed that the Amposta court has opened a secret case following a formal complaint from the baby’s grandfather. Authorities have released no further details as the search for evidence continues. Several sources reported that the mother told the grandfather that the child had been "buried in a box," a statement that influenced the direction of the investigation and legal proceedings.
The animal neglect has added urgency to the case. Nearly 30 dogs were rescued, many in poor condition, including some that were dead and others that were severely malnourished. Official reports confirmed the broader neglect at the property. The Mossos d'Esquadra are focusing on the search for the baby, while animal protection services are handling the aftermath of the dog rescue.
Cases involving missing children and animal neglect are not new to Spanish authorities. In recent years, regional agencies have faced scrutiny over their handling of sensitive investigations, as seen in the previous investigation into procedural failures in Catalonia. The current operation in Santa Bàrbara involves suspected violent crime alongside severe animal cruelty.
Authorities have sealed the home and detained suspects in another region, with multiple agencies involved. The court is keeping the case secret, and the property remains sealed as investigators continue their search for answers.
