A 4-year-old girl who had been reported missing after her mother’s apparent breakdown has been found safe and unharmed in the Bronx, according to the police. The child, Katalina Rios, was discovered in good health at a residence on 144th Street, where she had been under the care of another woman. This comes nearly a week after Katalina was last seen with her mother at a homeless shelter in Manhattan.
Katalina’s mother, who was visibly distressed, handed her daughter off to a woman known as Apples before leaving the hotel. The mother later checked herself into a hospital, expressing her concern for her missing daughter. Katalina’s biological father, who resides in Newburgh, reported her disappearance to the police. Investigators were able to locate the woman named Apples through social media and traced her to an address in the Bronx, leading to Katalina’s safe recovery.
Following her rescue, Katalina was taken to a hospital for evaluation. However, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig, there is currently no evidence to suggest that she had been subjected to any physical or sexual abuse.
The girl will soon be reunited with her father and paternal grandmother, while her mother continues to receive treatment at a hospital for an undisclosed condition. As of now, no charges have been filed against the mother.
The circumstances surrounding Katalina’s disappearance and subsequent recovery have raised concerns about the support and resources available to individuals experiencing homelessness.
The successful recovery of Katalina highlights the importance of swift and coordinated efforts by law enforcement and the community in locating missing children. The collaboration between investigators and the use of social media to track down the woman caring for Katalina played a vital role in her safe return.