Mother arrested after girl leaves mall

Police have arrested the mother of a 10-year-old girl in Limassol, after her daughter was spotted by another couple walking on her own.

According to police, a young girl joined two of her friends under the supervision of one of their mothers for a play date, where the adult female drove the three girls out for a meal and playtime at a local shopping centre.

Two of the girls had a spat and the 10-year-old reportedly left the company of her friends. Reports were not clear as to whether the girl left the area but police sources told Knews “she was on the road on her own when she was spotted by another couple.”

A Greek Cypriot couple took the girl to the police station, while it was not clear whether an effort was made to locate the supervising adult.

Police later arrested the mother of the child, who had previously dropped her off at the bus station. Reports said the woman initially boarded the bus with her daughter before getting off at her stop. The arrest took place at her residence in Limassol and she was subsequently released.

Police told Knews the woman was detained in accordance with child protection laws and could possibly face trial. Her foreign nationality was not disclosed citing privacy concerns.