MUMBAI, June 24: An 18-month-old girl, Sonia, reported missing from her Khar residence on June 12 has been traced to her uncle's house in Karwar district of Karnataka. While Joseph Fernandes, the mother's nephew, claims he took Sonia away without realising that he was committing a crime, her mother, Kavita does not believe him.It may be recalled that Express Newsline had carried a report on June 15 on Kavita's trauma after losing her child. Joseph told the police he was just trying to help his aunt, who does not have enough time for the girl. Kavita is employed with a security agency and shares an accommodation with a childless couple.She had on June 12 lodged a complaint about her missing child. She had also told the police that she suspected her nephew Joseph Fernandes' hand in the abduction.While the Khar police combed the neighbourhood hotels and travel agents for clues, a police party was dispatched to Honnavar in Karwar district of Karnataka, from where the family hailed.According to investigating officer inspector Vilas Pawar, the crack team assisted by local police raided the family house in the early hours of June 19 took Sonia their custody. They also arrested Joseph (25) and his younger brother Santosh (19).Interrogations revealed that the two brothers had left Khar on June 12 with the child and boarded a evening bus for Kasargod. Joseph said he had expressed his concern for the girl's upbringing to his aunt during his earlier visit.While the accused have been remanded to police custody on charges of abducting Sonia, the girl has been sent to Asha Sadan under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. The girl's mother will now have to claim the child.The case is being investigated under the supervision of Senior Inspector Feroz Ganjia of Khar police station.
