Police find missing 14-year-old boy from a private residence

Maldives Police Service has found Shaim Abdulla, 14, who went missing from the children’s shelter in Vilimale’ two weeks ago.

Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed (MC Hameed) confirms Shaim is now in custody of the police.

He was found from a private residence which officers entered forcibly, said Hameed.

An eye witness reports Shaim was found from a private residence located on Buruzumagu, in the Maafannu district of Male’ City this Monday.

Gender Ministry previously reported that Shaim was taken into State custody to remove him from "a criminal environment" and kept at the children’s shelter in Vilimale’ on a temporary basis when both his family members or his foster family refused to take responsibility for his care.

He went missing from the shelter on June 18.

Gender Ministry, and the Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef herself has come under fire over the disappearance of a young child under State care.

She has been sent notice by the Parliament for questioning regarding the case.

Shidhatha Shareef later said that the staff at the children’s shelter were not trained to deal with a “troubled” boy such as Shaim, but conceded that the State had been negligent, leading to his disappearance.