"Sacrifice for Forest Spirits"... Outrage in Thailand Over Father's Friend Who Abducted 23-Month-Old Girl into Cave

A 23-month-old girl who was kidnapped by her father's friend and found by the police in a forest 3km away from home is being rescued and transported by the police. / Photo by Bangkok Post

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A 23-month-old girl in Thailand was kidnapped in front of her house but was barely reunited with her parents after three days. However, the identity of the perpetrator and the reason for the abduction have sparked public outrage.

According to the Bangkok Post and Mirror on the 8th (local time), a 23-month-old girl living in a village near Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, disappeared while playing outside her house briefly on the 5th. At that time, the child's mother was cooking inside the house, and the father was out.

Upon receiving the report, the police deployed over 200 officers, rescue workers, and volunteers to search the area near the house and the forest, utilizing detection dogs, search drones, and even a diving team. The child was last seen about 10 meters from the house.

After investigation, the police identified Mr. Sio (43), a friend of the child's father, as a suspect. The Commissioner-General stated that Sio did not commit the crime alone and arrested him along with two men and women suspected of being part of a human trafficking group on kidnapping charges.

Initially, Sio did not answer the police's questions during interrogation, but as the case became widely known and police pressure continued, he admitted to kidnapping the child. After questioning the suspect overnight, the police revealed that he is likely addicted to drugs.

Sio claimed, "I took the child and left her near a cave in the forest," adding, "The spirits of the forest told me to offer the child as a sacrifice to the spirits, so I took her to the forest."

The rescued child is being transported to the hospital. /Video captured from Twitter

In fact, as per his statement, the child was found near a cave in the forest about 3 km from her home on the 8th. She had spent three days and nights alone there.

The police explained, "The child was bitten all over by insects and exhausted, but she smiled as if relieved when she saw the rescue team," adding, "The child was transferred to a hospital for examination."

The child's mother said, "I prayed day and night for my daughter to return home safely. I am so happy she is alive. I would have devoted my life to seeing my child come home safely. I will never lose my child again."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.