News / Bristol
Missing eight-year-old Tiolah found safe and well
An eight-year-old girl who police fear might have been abducted has been found, 18 hours after she went missing.
As exclusively reported by Bristol24/7, a man and a woman were arrested in the Galleries soon after 9am on Thursday morning after being spotted with Tiolah, also known as Tillie.
The pair were escorted by police out of the shopping centre, with the woman put into the back of a police car and the man taken down Union Street towards Bridewell police station only a few hundreds yards away.
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A member of the public who called the police after spotting the trio told Bristol24/7 that Tillie appeared upset when the pair were arrested.
The man and woman seemed to be having an argument in Broadmead before heading into the Galleries. When police arrived at the shopping centre, they found the man and woman with Tillie inside a lift.
Police escort the arrested man and woman from the Galleries – photo: Martin Booth
The arrested man stands with police on Union Street – photo: Martin Booth
Tillie had taken out by a family friend on Wednesday afternoon. They were supposed to go to a McDonald’s and had been expected to return to the family home in Bedminster within an hour but failed to come back.
Avon and Somerset police originally said there could be an innocent explanation but they were treating it as a possible abduction.
On Thursday morning, a police spokesperson said: “Officers have located eight-year-old Tiolah safe and well in Bristol this morning following an appeal to trace her. A man and a woman have been arrested. We’d like to thank everyone who contacted us or shared our appeal.”
The force had earlier said the girl was believed to be with a neighbour and family friend, Annmarie Lawton, and an unknown man.
A spokesperson said: “Annmarie, 29, visited Tiolah’s home on Wednesday 16 December with a man known only as Adam. She and Adam took Tiolah out soon after 3pm to visit McDonald’s in Sheen Road, Bedminster. They were expected to return within an hour.
“They have not brought Tiolah home or returned to Annmarie’s own home since. Tiolah’s mother reported her missing. While there may be a reasonable explanation, police are treating this investigation as an abduction.”
Main photo and video: Martin Booth
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