Daughter (11) forgotten on Croatian highway, police found her and returned her to negligent parents

(Patria) - Border police officers from Imotski found the girl whom her parents forgot on Thursday at the Rašćane rest stop, and they reported it to the police only after they had driven about 200 kilometers.

Split police reported that an employee of a gas station approached the officers and stated that he had a foreign national on the phone who claimed their 11-year-old child was lost.

The mother explained that they were traveling in a group with several vehicles and that at that moment they were in the Zadar area and only then noticed that the girl was not in the vehicles.

She added that they last stopped at the Rašćane rest stop and thought the girl had gotten into another vehicle, but when they stopped, they realized she was gone and had likely stayed at Rašćane.

Officers had a phone conversation with the mother, requested a photo of the girl, reviewed video surveillance, and searched all areas of the gas station, finding the girl matching the description in the outdoor area.

Officers approached the girl, introduced themselves, and offered assistance, but determined she did not speak English, so a foreign national joined the conversation, translating and helping the officers communicate with the child.

The girl was unharmed but frightened, and said her mobile phone was left in the vehicle, so she couldn't call anyone.

In conversation with the girl, officers calmed her down and told her they were in contact with her family who were on their way back, and that they would wait for them together with her.

Police stated that the frightened parents arrived after a few hours, while the girl had been with the police officers the entire time.

They added that the parents thanked the officers for their efforts and help, and for the care they showed for the child.