Child 'stolen on school trip abroad - Family wants her back

What was supposed to be a joyous moment for an 11-year-old Corporate Area student and her family has resulted in sleepless nights. The child was allegedly snatched away by her maternal relatives in Florida and taken to Georgia, while she was on a trip with teachers and other students from her school.

"We signed a consent form for her to travel on the Friday for the [overseas meet], and she was supposed to return the following Tuesday. But when we get to the airport is just her belongings we got," her aunt, Lisa, said.

Lisa, who claims she has shared guardianship of her niece, said that when she sought answers from the teachers, she got nothing. She also said that at one point she got a message from her niece's mother that her sister had taken her.

She told THE STAR that the aunt would have known exactly where the child was because she was supposed to meet with her to buy some personal items for her.

LEGAL GUARDIAN

"The teacher said the aunt had asked if she could take her and bring her back the following day and dem tell her no. She then told her say she a take her downstairs to buy a slippers and that a the last time dem see her. The mother is not her legal guardian, she couldn't even give consent for them to take the child," she said.

When THE STAR contacted the principal of the school for a comment, she stated that she was not at liberty to speak on the matter but said that a report was made to the relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, Lisa said that she and her family have been restless since the incident, and she is imploring the relatives to send her niece home. She claimed that she had made contact with her niece who is unhappy and wants to return home.

"The travel documents is at the airport, but we have everything else. Her grandmother has not been taking it well. She hardly ever cry and now she can't stop crying," she said.

Lynch added that she has been in dialogue with the school, but she is not pleased with the slow progress of the investigation. She stated that she has also given statements to the Child Development Agency (CDA) and other entities and hopes that they will assist her with the safe return of the child.