On Monday, October 5, a correctional court in La Roche-sur-Yon sentenced a 48-year-old man to five years in prison for sexually assaulting children aged three and four. Three years of the sentence were suspended, meaning he would not serve that time unless he commits another offense. The case dates back to 2023, when several families in the Vendée countryside reported that their young children had described being sexually touched by the man, who worked as a school counselor between 2022 and 2023. During his trial in September, the accused denied the allegations, suggesting it was unlikely three young children would conspire to make up such claims. He also claimed that he was not responsible for the alleged actions. The accused told the court that he had been motivated to work with children after a 14-year-old "angel" told him to help them. He admitted to having a sexual attraction to children over the age of 10. According to ICI Loire Océan, he worked in the communes of Sigournais and Saint-Germain-de-Prinçay. Me Esther Bouchaud-Berthelot, the lawyer for the civil party, described the accused as having a "disturbing profile" and expressed regret that he had not taken responsibility for the alleged incidents. The court imposed a ban on any activities involving minors and mandated a six-year socio-legal follow-up, largely in response to the prosecution's requests. This case is part of a series of similar incidents in the region that have come to light in recent months. In Angers, a 26-year-old counselor is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old child at a leisure center and a local school. In Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, two men were suspended earlier this summer for similar misconduct. These cases have raised concerns about the safety of children in educational and recreational settings and have prompted calls for increased oversight and accountability.