A brave 10-year-old boy in the southeast of France has come forward and finally managed to break the chain of abuse that was going on his family for over two years. His disclosure to his teachers led to the arrest of 10 adults including his mother, stepfather, aunt, uncle, grandfather and other friends of the family. These 10 adults allegedly repeatedly raped three siblings aged four, seven and ten.

According to authorities, the disturbing abuse included the children being regularly "used as sex toys" and allegedly took place during "private family parties," Daily Mail reports. The ten suspects, aged between 30 and 64, were arrested this week near Bourgoin-Jallieu and in Chambery in the Isere department of the eastern French Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes after a lengthy investigation.

The ten suspects, aged between 30 and 64, were arrested this week near Bourgoin-Jallieu and in Chambery in the Isere department of the eastern French Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes after a lengthy investigation. (iStock)

The three siblings, who were abused between summer 2016 and December 2018, included two girls aged four and seven their half brother aged 10. According to the Grenoble public prosecutor Eric Vaillant, the mother, stepfather, uncle, and grandmother of the youngsters have been remanded in custody. The ten detainees reportedly denied allegations at first but admitted to them soon after while still in police custody.

The arrest of 10 adults aged 30 to 64 was first reported by French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere, which revealed they were arrested and remanded in custody on Monday morning.

According to the prosecutor, the abuse was first revealed last September by the 10-year-old half brother. The crimes reportedly took place between summer 2016 and the end of 2018, "and especially after the children's mother started a relationship" with the stepfather, he said. The 10-year-old claimed that his mother and stepfather had repeatedly raped him and his sisters for years. Shockingly, it also came to light that the children were forced to carry out sex acts on one another as well as made to engage in sexual intercourse with the family dog.

On October 25, 2018, a judicial inquiry was launched which eventually gave rise to "numerous environmental and technical investigations."

Vaillant said, "As the months passed, the boy and his seven-year-old sister made new revelations to their teachers and other adults, referring to repeated and regular sexual abuse by the people around them including their mother, aunt, uncle, grandmother and family friends."

The 10-year-old half-brother claimed that his mother and stepfather had repeatedly raped him and his sisters for years. (iStock)

The victims' mother has been charged with incestuous child rape, while the stepfather has been charged with child rape among other charges. Both were placed in pre-trial detention on Thursday afternoon.

Three other suspects, whose identities are yet to be revealed by the prosecution, have been placed under judicial control after being indicted on Wednesday "for similar acts." Addressing reporters, the prosecutor said, "Not everyone agreed to answer questions during the interrogation, so they will be the subject of further hearings and investigations."

According to local media, the abuse reportedly occurred during "private family parties." The prosecutor revealed that the three children, who are currently under foster care, are suffering from "developmental delays and behavioral problems" as a result of the horrific abuse.

Nonetheless, Valliant said they "have evolved positively since being placed in foster care."

The investigation continues.