Missing 14-Year-old found after nearly two weeks

The 14-year-old boy who went missing almost two weeks ago has been found by the police and is now in their care.

Shaim Abdulla went missing on June 18 from Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage in Villimalé.

The police said they had searched three houses and reviewed CCTV footage in connection with Shaim’s disappearance. They had also urged the public to provide any information that might be used to find him.

Just a few minutes ago, the commissioner of police, Mohamed Hameed, tweeted: “Just wanted to inform you that we have forcefully entered into a house in Malé and taken Shaim Abdulla into our custody.”

The Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services reported that the child was brought under state care from “an environment of crime”.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Gender Minister Shidhatha disclosed the minor’s entire case history in an apparent attempt to justify how a case of child neglect first reported in 2009 could have evolved into the child’s later disappearance from state care.

Police confirmed to the Maldives Independent that Shaim had been found and was now in their care. No further details were forthcoming.