Kidnapped Mpumalanga girl reunited with her family after 20 years
Police in Ermelo in Mpumalanga say they have located a girl who was kidnapped over 20 years ago when she was a baby.
Police spokesperson, Selby Mohlala, has confirmed the now young woman has been reunited with her family.
“We located, through investigation, the daughter, who was reportedly kidnapped and has since never been seen by her family for a period of over 20 years,” says Mohlala.
On 23 March 2001, a woman who was 16 years old at the time, gave birth to a baby girl at the Ermelo Provincial Hospital.
Mohlala says her baby was kidnapped shortly after the birth.
“As they were on their way home to Breyten in the company of the baby's aunt, they met a certain woman who is said to have offered to assist by holding the baby as her mom was experiencing some pains and dizziness whilst the aunt had visited a shop nearby.”
Mohlala further explains that while sitting with the teen-mom, the woman who was holding the baby, promised to return as she walked in the same direction the aunt did.
“The aunt returned; however, the woman who took the baby never came back. Efforts to locate the woman and the baby were unsuccessful. The incident was then reported to the police at Ermelo and a case of child abduction was opened.”
At the time of the incident, Mohlala says police did not manage to find any information until receiving a lead 20 years later.
“No information that came forth until on 29 November 2021, when the team of investigators got some leads into their investigation. Police conducted some forensic tests where DNA samples were collected and results came back which turned out to be a breakthrough into their case of child abduction.”
A 50-year-old woman has been arrested and charged as she is alleged to have been the one behind the kidnapping that occurred two decades ago.
Her case has been postponed until 18 January 2022.
Mohlala adds that the young lady - who is now 20 years old - is receiving psychological help with coming to terms with incident.
“The young lady (who was kidnapped) has been kept in a place of safety whilst she receives some psychological support services and will hopefully be reunited with her biological family soon.”
The name of the suspect is withheld for the protection of the victim's identity.
ALSO READ:
