Losalini Lalaia has had three sleepless nights thinking of her missing daughter.

Talei Raikadroka, 3, disappeared mysteriously sometime between last Friday night and Saturday morning at Kalekana, Lami

“ Please find my girl,” Ms Lalaia pleaded with searchers as they combed the area yesterday.

Although she tried to be positive, fears are growing in the community that Talei may not be found. Talei’s disappearance without a trace has shocked this quiet and peaceful community.

Ms Lalaia, 23, had assumed that Talei had walked 20 metres to her grandfather’s house. Talei had done that in the past, she said.

Ms Lalaia, whose husband works for a fishing company and is still out at sea,  had looked in vain everywhere.

Yesterday, the men in the area combed the mangroves, drains and nearby bushes.

Ms Lalaia said: “She usually sleeps at her grandfather’s place. The house is just 20 metres away and she does not even have to cross the road.”

“Last Saturday, it was the same. I woke up and went to church. Upon my return, I enquired about Talei, and that is when the search for her began.

“I don’t know what could have happened to my daughter. Is there anyone out there who has seen her?”

Losalini Lalaia’s mother, Arieta Ronaiqato, 52, who has lived in Kalekana all her life, said this was the first time a child had gone missing in the community.

“As far as I can remember, no child has disappeared from Kalekana before.

“We are puzzled as to how can a child who has been frequenting the same route every day, goes missing,” she said.

“She is my granddaughter and I am worried about what has happened. I want to appeal to the public to help us find our little girl.”

Ms Lalaia said Talei was like a normal child her age. She said she was full of life and her favourite places were the two homes.

She said it was rare for her to wander out anywhere else.

Police have been conducting their search as well.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro has urged members of the public to get in touch with the Southern Division Command Center on 9905529 if anyone had any information that could help locate the child.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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