Newsroom
An overseas football trip has landed a 65-year-old father in court after police say he left his 11-year-old daughter alone at their Paphos home while he travelled to Albania.
Authorities were alerted late Friday night and went to the family’s home, where officers found the child without adult supervision.
When police spoke to the girl, she reportedly told them that her father had been abroad for two days to attend a Pafos FC match.
Social Welfare Services were immediately notified and took responsibility for the girl’s protection and care.
The father, who is the child’s single parent, returned from Albania on Saturday morning and was arrested under a court warrant.
Police allege that although he was responsible for the girl’s care on Aug. 19 and 20, he travelled abroad and left her unattended, placing her at risk.
He was charged with abandoning a child under 16 under Cyprus’ Children Law and taken before Paphos District Court, where the case was formally registered.
The court released him on €15,000 bail and ordered him to appear again on Sept. 18.
Police investigations are continuing.
