Greater Manchester Police have released new CCTV footage as part of an urgent search for 13-year-old Lillia, who has now been missing for a week.
Authorities confirmed that the teenager was captured on camera inside a McDonald’s on Market Street in Piccadilly Gardens at approximately 8.20pm on Sunday, September 13. This discovery marks the most recent confirmed sighting of the schoolgirl, who left her family home in Bolton on Friday, September 11.
The investigation has intensified as Lillia’s mother, Jess, issued a heart-wrenching public plea for her daughter’s safe return. In a direct message, she said: “Lil, I love you so much. My heart is breaking without you here. I need to know you are safe. We all need you back home and safe and well.”
Police are now focusing their efforts on the city centre. Officers are urging anyone who was in the vicinity of Piccadilly Gardens at the time of the Sunday sighting to check their mobile phones for any video footage or photographs that might show Lillia in the background.
The search also continues to focus on an earlier sighting on Saturday, September 12. Investigators believe Lillia boarded the 247 bus bound for Altrincham at the Trafford Centre at around 1.50pm that day. It remains unclear where the teenager alighted or if she continued her journey further afield.
Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley of GMP’s Bolton district praised the family’s resilience during the ongoing search. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with her family, and I would like to thank her mum for being part of our appeal—her strength throughout this has been remarkable,” she stated.
“Officers are making every effort to locate Lillia, and our team have been working through hours of CCTV footage and exploring every avenue to try and find her,” Chief Supt Critchley added. While the search is centered on Greater Manchester, the force is keeping an “open mind” regarding the possibility that she may have traveled outside the region.
Lillia is described as being white, approximately 5ft 5ins tall, and of slim build. She has light brown hair and wears glasses. When last seen, she was wearing a black zip-up hooded top, light blue baggy jeans, and was carrying a black Nike backpack.
Police have established a dedicated Major Incident Portal to receive information and are reminding the public that tips can also be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. “Her family just want her home,” said Chief Supt Critchley. “Please report any information, no matter how small.”
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