Girl's disappearance in Marbella: father appeals for help after mother's flight
A four-year-old girl disappeared in Marbella with her mother on the day of a residency appointment. A judge has prohibited the mother from leaving Spain.
Urgent search following disappearance on Costa del Sol
Dumitru Vicol, a businessman in Marbella, has launched a desperate appeal to locate his daughter Tiara Vicol, four years old, after she disappeared with her mother on Wednesday morning. According to The Olive Press, the girl failed to attend the appointment scheduled for 11 o'clock in the morning at the National Police station in Fuengirola, where they were supposed to process Spanish residency.
When Vicol was unable to reach the mother by telephone, he travelled to the family home in Marbella. The mother's car was parked in front of the building, but the flat was empty and the child's safety seat had disappeared. Later that day, the mother sent a text message indicating that she would only communicate by this means and that she would allow him to speak with Tiara shortly, but the call never came.
Vicol filed a missing persons report which was processed before the courts. A judge in Marbella issued an emergency order on Thursday prohibiting the mother from leaving Spain due to the risk that the minor might be taken out of the country. The magistrate based her decision on the sudden departure from the home, the silence regarding the current whereabouts and the fact that the mother is retaining Tiara's passport.
Protective measures activated
In accordance with the court order, the mother must inform the court and the father of the child's exact location within two hours of notification. Tiara's passport must be handed over to the court, and the issuance of new travel documents has been prohibited. The Romanian embassy and consulates in Spain have been notified so that they do not issue additional documentation.
Border posts are on alert and the National Police have been ordered to locate the minor. Despite these measures, the mother retains custody of Tiara on the condition that they remain in the area within the jurisdiction of the Marbella courts and that she allows the father to speak with his daughter daily.
According to Vicol, the couple separated three months ago. He states that he has fought to maintain contact with Tiara since then. He explains that the mother requested money from him to pay for a new three-bedroom flat, the down payment for which cost 28,500 euros. Vicol signed the contract, but the mother left before he paid the amount.
Profile of the minor
Tiara is between 100 and 110 centimetres tall, weighs approximately 25 kilograms, and has brown hair and brown eyes. It is believed she is travelling with her older step-sister, the mother's daughter from a previous relationship. The three people involved have Romanian nationality, and Vicol suspects they may be in Albacete.
Any information regarding the girl's whereabouts can be reported to the local authorities or through the National Police channels.
Source: The Olive Press