THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE IS AGAIN URGING THE PUBLIC TO STOP, CIRCULATING VIDEOS OF MISSING CHILDREN AFTER THEY ARE FOUND.

THE WARNING FOLLOWS THE RECOVERY OF A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO WAS FOUND IN THE COMPANY OF A 49-YEAR-OLD MAN.

A VIDEO INVOLVING THE CHILD SHARED ONLINE BY THE HUNTERS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM, LED BY SHAMSHUDEEN AYUBE, DREW HARSH CRITICISM FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

AT YESTERDAY’S WEEKLY POLICE MEDIA BRIEFING, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER OF THE TTPS, JOANNE ARCHIE CONFIRMED THAT THE CHILD IS SAFE.

MS.ARCHIE SAID, THE PURPOSE OF PUBLISHING PHOTOGRAPHS OF MISSING PEOPLE IS TO HELP LOCATE THEM SAFELY, NOT TO EXPOSE OR SHAME THEM ONCE THEY ARE FOUND.

THE TTPS SAID, IT IS NOT YET KNOWN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE 13-YEAR-OLD CAME TO BE WITH THE MAN.

MEANWHILE, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT ANDERSON PARIMAN OF THE ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT, SAYS THERE IS NO MANDATORY 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE REPORTING SOMEONE MISSING.

FIGURES PRESENTED AT THE BRIEFING SHOW THAT, FROM JANUARY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, POLICE RECEIVED 307 MISSING-PERSON REPORTS, INCLUDING 135 INVOLVING MINORS.

OF THOSE CASES, 283 PEOPLE WERE ACCOUNTED FOR, INCLUDING 20 WHO WERE FOUND DEAD. TWO OF THE DECEASED WERE MINORS.

TWENTY-FOUR PEOPLE REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR TO DATE, INCLUDING THREE MINORS.