A trial has begun in the Ardennes region for Jean-Baptiste M., a man accused of murdering and raping 10-year-old Loana, whose body was found in a basement in Sedan. The trial is taking place before the court of assizes in Charleville-Mézières and is expected to last until Wednesday. Loana was discovered dead 24 hours after she went missing in the basement of a small building in the city center. The building includes a disused bar and a residence on the upper floor. The resident of the residence, Jean-Baptiste M., a man in his fifties, was quickly arrested and placed under investigation. He admitted to investigators that he raped the girl but claimed she accidentally fell to her death, according to the prosecutor of Reims, François Schneider. An autopsy revealed that Loana was struck multiple times in the face, which caused her death. Investigators found blood "in the bar," "in the basement," and in the apartment, "on the bed sheets." These findings suggest that the crime may have occurred in multiple locations within the building. Jean-Baptiste M. is described as an alcoholic, unemployed, divorced man and the father of six children. He had prior contact with Loana’s family, who lived in "some precarious conditions." He had legal issues in the past, including traffic offenses and a case of theft in association, but not for violent acts or sexual violence. The case has drawn significant local attention, with many in the community expressing shock and concern. Loana’s family has not publicly commented on the trial, but the circumstances of her death have raised questions about the safety of children in vulnerable situations. Jean-Baptiste M. faces a potential life sentence with a maximum security period of 30 years if found guilty of the charges against him. The trial is expected to provide further details about the events leading to Loana’s death and the nature of the relationship between the accused and the victim.