France is reeling with anger following the murder of an 11-year-old girl, as it has come to light that the main suspect had been flagged multiple times previously for potential child molestation.

Lyhanna vanished after classes a week earlier in the Gers region of southwestern France. A body thought to be hers turned up on Thursday on farmland near the town of Fleurance.

A 41-year-old man identified as Jérome B has been held since Monday. He is the father of one of Lyhanna's friends, and two witnesses reported seeing the girl in his car on the afternoon she disappeared.

The case has taken a political turn after officials released details of Jérome B's police record amid the shock and grief.

He had been named in four separate incidents involving young girls in recent years. Two were dropped for insufficient evidence, while in a third he lost his job as a maintenance worker at a secondary school due to inappropriate conduct toward a teenager.

Yet the fourth matter has triggered widespread criticism reaching the top levels of the justice system.

Jérome B faced a complaint last August from the mother of 10-year-old Rosa, who alleged repeated rape by him, according to the state prosecutor in Auch.

Even though medical checks backed Rosa's account, Jérome B was never questioned by investigators in the nine months after her family contacted police.

The French justice system's delays are well known. Here the process was further slowed by a transfer between jurisdictions.

The public is appalled that none of the warning signs about Jérome B prompted action from authorities, who appeared focused on procedure rather than preventing potential harm.

Jordan Bardella, president of the hard-right National Rally, stated on X that the French people want accountability. He added that the tragedy might have been prevented with a functional justice system.

Bruno Retailleau of the conservative Les Républicains declared the justice system a failure requiring total overhaul. He noted that a society unable to protect its children risks turning against itself.

From the left, Marine Tondelier of the Ecologists described the case as a symbol of a politico-judicial setup unable to address sexist and sexual violence.

President Emmanuel Macron called the shortcomings clear and unacceptable, saying officials cannot face Lyhanna's family and claim the matter was handled properly.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin expressed terror at the events and questioned why a man under obvious suspicion was not kept away from children despite months of complaints.

The prime minister has ordered a report on the failures within 15 days.