Oldham: So, here’s the scoop. Alex Batty’s family won’t face any criminal charges after his disappearance. The police have confirmed this, which is a relief for them.
Detectives looked into everything but found no solid grounds for prosecution. They said this is what Alex and his family wanted, but they still believe the case needed a thorough investigation.

Alex, now 18, went missing back in 2017 when he was just 11. He was on a trip to Spain with his mom and grandpa, living a nomadic lifestyle. Fast forward to December 2023, and he fled after six years, walking for four days through France before being found.
Since then, he’s been back to a normal life in Oldham with his grandma, Susan, who was his legal guardian. They both said they don’t want his mom and grandpa to be jailed over this whole situation.
In an interview, Alex mentioned that his mom acted out of love and did what she thought was best. The police officially closed the investigation on January 22, stating they explored all options but found no grounds for prosecution.
Detective Superintendent Matt Walker emphasized that Alex’s safety was their top priority since he was found. Now, Alex is safe and back in Greater Manchester, surrounded by family who loves him, which is what really matters.