Missing 12-year-old girl believed to be staying with ‘much older’ man
New Zealand police are searching for a 12-year-old Auckland girl who disappeared six days ago and is believed to be staying with a “much older” man who is not part of her family.
On Thursday evening, police confirmed that 12-year-old Maria Mino had been in touch with her family.
The family is still concerned about Maria’s well-being, police said.
The young girl was last seen at her home on Maugham Drive in Bucklands Beach, east Auckland, on August 11.
“While we are not immediately concerned for her safety, we are concerned that she is in the company of people much older than herself,” police said.
“She is believed to associate with adults who are not immediate or wider Whānau (extended family or community) members.”
Police urged the public to report any sightings or information about Maria’s whereabouts. It is believed that she is most likely dating an older man in West Auckland or in the Auckland CBD.
A police spokesman said the man lives at an address in the western Auckland suburb of Glen Eden. The police couldn’t reach him.
Police said Maria was a young girl who was supposed to be at home with her family.
“We would still like to speak to her,” added a police spokesman.
Maria’s family are concerned for her well-being and have asked that any sightings of Maria be reported to the New Zealand 111 emergency number, police said.
For more information on Maria’s whereabouts, the police can be contacted by calling 105 with reference number 230812/5064.
Reports can also be made anonymously through New Zealand Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
