Karnataka cops use WhatsApp to reunite lost, speech-impaired minor girl with family

The Shivamogga district police in Karnataka successfully reunited a 14-year-old speech-impaired minor girl with her family two days after she went missing. On August 25, the girl, who resides in Channagiri village, boarded a bus to take herself to a nearby hospital as she was unwell. She regularly made the journey alone, but on this day, she missed her intended stop and ended up at Thammadihalli, approximately 30 km away from the hospital. Unable to communicate her desired destination, the girl was unable to find her way back home.

The girl boarded a bus to the hospital, but missed her stop and ended up in Thammadihalli, about 30 km from the hospital. Unable to communicate her intended destination, the girl was unable to locate her way back home. "Upon reaching the last stop, the bus conductor approached her, noticing her confusion and worry. He realized she could not speak and alerted the police through the emergency number 112," explained a police officer.

Local police officers promptly arrived at the scene and ensured the girl's safety. She was then presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and placed in a government-run children's home.

Due to her minor status, the police did not initially disseminate her photograph and personal information widely on WhatsApp. However, after consulting with senior officers, they decided to circulate her image and details among police WhatsApp groups to verify her identity. This effort proved fruitful as within two days, her brother stumbled upon her photograph in a local police WhatsApp group. Recognizing his sister, he verified the details and informed the police, who subsequently traced her family.

The girl's family had also conducted a search for her at the hospital after she failed to return home. A missing person's complaint was subsequently filed at the Channagiri police station. Once the family was identified, they were summoned to appear before the CWC. Following the requisite procedures, the girl was finally reunited with her family on August 27.