A two-year-old boy reported missing in the Old Road community has been found alive, bringing relief to his family and residents after two days of fear, confusion, and emotional distress.
The child, identified as Raphael Tamba, was reported missing after he was last seen playing with other children in his neighborhood. According to residents, Raphael had been left briefly in the care of other children while his mother stepped away. When she returned minutes later, the toddler had vanished without a trace.
News of the disappearance quickly spread across the community, with neighbors recounting similar past incidents in the area. Some residents recalled another child who went missing under comparable circumstances years ago and was never found, while others mentioned a case where a missing child was later recovered in a different community through community vigilance.
As hours turned into days, Raphael’s mother was reportedly overwhelmed with grief and anxiety, struggling to eat or rest as she searched desperately for her son. The child’s father was described as devastated and helpless. The case was formally reported to the Liberia National Police, who launched an investigation.
Child Found at Stephen Tolbert Estate
Relief finally came when Raphael was discovered at the Stephen Tolbert Estate in the company of a woman who is now accused of kidnapping him from the Old Road community. According to preliminary police reports, the suspect allegedly acted with the help of her sister, who lives in the same area and is currently at large.
Investigators say the suspects cut the child’s hair and changed his name in an attempt to conceal his identity. Reports further indicate that the woman was allegedly planning to travel to Guinea with the child but stopped at a friend’s residence in the Stephen Tolbert Estate.
Community members reportedly became suspicious of the woman’s behavior and questioned her. When she called the child by the false name she had given him, the toddler reportedly responded by stating his real name, Raphael, along with his father’s surname, Tamba, a revelation that immediately confirmed his identity.
Police Investigation Ongoing
The woman is currently in police custody, while efforts are underway to locate and arrest her sister. Authorities say investigations remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attempted abduction and to determine whether other cases may be linked.
Family members have expressed gratitude to community residents and social media users who shared information and helped bring attention to the case.
Raphael has since been reunited with his family, ending a tense and painful ordeal that has once again raised concerns about child safety and vigilance within communities.
