A search for a Colombian mother and her young son, who went missing in Barcelona last month, has concluded with relief. The woman contacted her family to confirm both are safe and well.
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María Paula Molina Hernández and her 23-month-old son, Seitka Layne, disappeared on 12 February, prompting a high-risk alert and a public appeal. The case has now concluded positively, as María Paula requested an end to the search for her and her child.
A Relieved Family Calls Off Search
According to a report by Metrópoli Abierta, Ms Molina Hernández sent a video to her father in Colombia, showing both herself and her son in “perfect condition”. The images suggest they remain in Spain. Consequently, the family decided to respect her wishes and cease their search efforts.
Diana, María Paula’s mother, confirmed she will visit the Mossos d’Esquadra police station in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district on Tuesday. There, she will formally withdraw the missing person report she had filed.
Vulnerable Pair Vanished From Care
Their disappearance from a social services centre, where they were residing, raised immediate concerns. The national missing persons charity SOS Desaparecidos issued an alert, classifying them as at “grave risk”.
Authorities deemed both the mother and son vulnerable. Ms Molina Hernández reportedly has mental health issues, and her son requires ongoing medical care. The disappearance sparked widespread concern, leading to a public appeal, which Barna.News covered in a search for the missing mother and baby.
Fears Over Child Custody Spurred Flight
Their sudden departure appears motivated by Ms Molina Hernández’s fears regarding her son’s custody. Her mother, Diana, explained her daughter had grown suspicious of the social workers at the residential centre.
“She suspects the social workers at the residence intend to take custody of Seitka,” Diana stated. While Diana herself does not believe this, she thinks this fear ultimately motivated her daughter’s decision to leave the facility with her child.
Currently, María Paula and Seitka’s exact whereabouts remain unknown to their family. However, their direct contact and confirmation of wellbeing have brought immense relief. The family is now breathing a little easier, respecting her decision to cease the search, and hoping for a stable, safe future for them both.
