The people of Carli Bay, Couva, searched the rivers and banks, swamps and bushes for hours. They eventually found ten-year-old Britney Khodai clinging to the branches of a tree a quarter-mile from home. She had apparently run away from home.

Her father, Russel Khodai, yesterday thanked police officers and his neighbours for helping him.

The girl had left her home at Palm Avenue around 6 a.m. to say her prayers at a Hindu shrine in the front yard. When she did not return, family called the police after searching the area. Their fear only grew with news of the disappearance of another ten-year-old girl, Tecia Henry, at John John, Port of Spain. - See Page 5

A team of officers led by Sgts Craig and Pooran and Detective Barrow led the search.

The girl was taken to hospital for a medical check-up before meeting with social workers.

Her father said of the incident, ’This is a turning point for me and should be a lesson to all parents. My little girl was being bullied by a bigger (relative) and she couldn’t take it no more. She decided to take a stand and it was her way of giving us a message.’

Khodai said when he could not find his child, ’I was scared. The entire village was scared. When we eventually found her, nobody could believe a little girl could climb such a big tree.’

Community police officers are involved in the case.