THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 13-year-old girl, who was found in Visakhapatnam after going missing from Thiruvananthapuram, will remain in the custody of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for the time being. Chairperson Shaniba Begum said the child did not want to go with her parents and wanted to study at CWC. The chairperson informed the media that the girl left home because her mother made her do chores and beat her often.

“We talked with the girl. Some lady from the train bought her biriyani and she slept after having the food. The girl then woke up at Visakhapatnam surrounded by police officials and members of Malayali association. The child does not want to go to Assam but is keen on staying in Kerala. Counselling will be provided to the child and parents", Shaniba Begum clarified.

The child was allowed to see her parents in the presence of CWC workers. The 13-year-old girl was found from Visakhapatnam after 37 hours of her disappearance. After quarrelling with her mother, the girl left for Kanyakumari with just Rs 50 and then took another train to West Bengal.

She was found by members of the Malayali association from Visakhapatnam. What turned crucial was the photo taken by a Malayali passenger from a train that helped police track the girl.