After spending three long days in captivity at the hands of her kidnappers, 6-year-old Leo Jia Hui was finally found by police at a hotel in Batang Kali yesterday (Jul 23).
The news was greatly welcomed by all Malaysians, who were filled with worry for her safety and prayed earnestly for her return.
Leo Jia Hui reunites with family in viral photo
In a now-viral photo posted by a woman named Barbie 慧慧 on Facebook yesterday, it showed Jia Hui, who looked visibly tired, posing for a photo with several individuals believed to be family members.
Among the individuals in the photo was Jia Hui’s mother Leo Qieo Xin and her husband, who as carrying Jia Hui in his arms.
In the caption, Barbie wrote that Jia Hui had returned safely to her family and was exhausted by the ordeal she endured the past few days.
She also said Jia Hui’s parents had given her their blessing to post the photo online.
Thank you everyone for your concern. Let’s get her (Albertine) home tonight and let her have a good rest.
“My sister’s family wants to thank everyone for selflessly sharing any posts,” she wrote.
Barbie later added in the comments that Jia Hui’s family were invited to dinner by a restaurant in in Iskander Puteri and thanked the owner for the show of generosity.
Summary of events
On Jul 20, Jia Hui was reported missing during the Bon Odori event at around 8.30pm, prompting a massive search for her.
Fortunately, she was found unhurt by police and a total of five suspects have been arrested so far to aid investigations. However, police say all five suspects had no family ties to Jia Hui.
One of them included a 31-year-old man who was with Jia Hui inside a budget hotel in Batang Kali where she was found, reported Sin Chew Daily.
The case is now being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person as well as Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for physical sexual assault on a child.
Read more about the case here:
