KNYSNA NEWS - An intensive search to safely reunite a two-year-old girl with her loved ones in Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape after being kidnapped earlier this month, had a positive outcome when the toddler was found in Knysna on Tuesday 17 August.
The toddler was apparently playing outside her home on 4 August when she disappeared.
A woman who was allegedly spotted with the missing girl, was circulating on various social media platforms in the vicinity of Knysna on Monday 16 August. This is how authorities became aware of her whereabouts.
Members of the Tsitsikamma K9 responded to the information and embarked on an intensive search for the pair, at first without any success.
The search resumed at first light on Tuesday when the members visited a number of homes in White Location. After receiving a hint, members pounced on a residence in Rolihlahla Street and searched the house. They found the toddler asleep in one of the rooms.
The police arrested the 21-year-old woman on a charge of kidnapping. She remains in custody and will be transferred to the Eastern Cape where she is expected to make a court appearance once charged.
Meanwhile, the toddler was admitted to a local hospital for medical assessment. Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to ensure that the rights of women and children, as the most vulnerable in society, are protected.
He thanked the members for their persistence in ensuring a safe return of the missing girl. Patekile also welcomed the arrest of the suspect whose conduct threatened the well-being of the toddler.
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