Abducted child reunited with street dweller parents

A child who was abducted recently by a street dweller was reunited on Tuesday night with her parents who are also street dwellers.

The one-year-old child, taken at a convenience store in Quezon City on December 10, was recovered in Navotas City, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

Her father Melvin hugged his daughter Kiana Jane tight and kissed her when she was turned over to him and her mother.

Police said the street dweller who abducted her carried the child in her arms all the way to Caloocan City where they stopped at a convenience store. The suspect then left the sleeping child with a woman outside the convenience store.

"Ito nga pong bata ay iniwan nga raw po ng suspek natin sa isang convenience store sa bandang Sangandaan.  Iniwan niya po sa isang babae na nandoon po sa may convenience store," Novaliches Police Station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Michael John Villanueva said.

(The child was left by the suspect at a convenience store near Sangandaan. She left her with a woman who was there near the convenience store.)

The woman in turn said the suspect told her that she will just take a bath, so she asked her to take care of the child. However, the suspect still had not appeared after a few hours. The woman and the child thus left.

Police was informed that a child was left at the convenience store.

A couple who took care of the child for the time being said they took pity on her. They fed her well, and gave her clothes and a nice place to sleep.

The man said his father saw a post of GMA Integrated News on social media about the missing child so they contacted the number indicated therein.

The 20-year-old suspect has already been arrested and charges were filed against her.

She admitted using the child in begging for alms.

"Sobrang saya ko kasi nakita po namin 'yung anak ko tapos ligtas po. 'Yun lang naman ang pinapanalangin namin araw-araw," Melvin said, thanking everyone who helped look for his daughter.

(I am so happy because we saw my daughter again who is safe. That was what we were praying for every day.)

"Napakalaking tulong po na naibalik sa amin ng ligtas 'yung ano ko kasi tanggal lahat ng pagod at hirap tsaka pagtitiis sa paghahanap sa anak ko," he added.

(It was a big help that our daughter was returned to us safe. All the fatigue and hardship in looking for our child vanished.)

Melvin vowed that the incident will not happen again. He said they would live with their relatives in Caloocan City instead and stay off the streets.

Meanwhile, Villanueva advised parents not to leave their children with anyone they have just met.

"Sa mga magulang, lalo na po kung may mga anak kayo na maliliit pa po, huwag niyo pong ipaubaya sa ibang tao 'yung anak niyo po lalo na kung bago niyo pa lang nakilalala," he said.

(To parents, especially those with small children, do not leave them with other people whom you just met.) —KG, GMA Integrated News