Police have rescued a two-year-old girl who was kidnapped earlier this month and arrested a 45-year-old woman who allegedly planned to force the child into begging.
Child lured and abducted
According to police, the accused, identified as Haseena from Modinagar, allegedly lured the child by offering to buy her a cold drink before abducting her.
The child’s mother, Jyoti, said she had left her two daughters at home on March 10 while she went out to beg. Upon returning, she found her younger child missing and began searching for her across nearby areas, including Ghaziabad.
Complaint and investigation
After days of searching on her own, the mother approached Muradnagar police station on March 18 and lodged a missing complaint.
Police teams were formed immediately, and officers examined footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras. The accused was eventually identified in the footage along with the child.
Accused planned to use child for begging
During interrogation, Haseena reportedly admitted that she intended to use the child for begging. Police said she works as a ragpicker and had taken the child to Meerut after the kidnapping.
She was later apprehended while allegedly planning to flee to Lucknow.
Child rescued safely
The child was rescued safely and reunited with her family. Police have taken the accused into custody and further investigation is underway.
Concerns over child safety
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of children in economically weaker communities and the risks of child trafficking and forced begging.
Authorities have urged parents to remain vigilant and report missing cases immediately to ensure swift action.