The desperate search for a five-year-old girl who has been missing for ten days continued in Florence today as police took control of the former hotel where she was staying.
Kataleya Mia Chicillo Alvarez, five, from Peru, went missing June 10 from the squatted Astor Hotel in Florence, Italy, where she was staying with her family and 140 other people.
There are two ways she could have been taken out of the hotel. Cameras recorded her playing up a few steps towards a courtyard at 3.12pm before disappearing entirely.
No trace of the five-year-old girl and her kidnappers have been found in the area, and the police theory is that she was bundled into a suitcase or chest and taken out of one of the hotel’s two exits – although that should have been what the kidnappers were supposed to have done carry her over a wall.
Officials from Italy’s Carabinieri Department of Scientific Investigations and local service workers are conducting a frantic search for the five-year-old and have taken her toothbrush for DNA analysis.
Kataleya Mia Chicillo Alvarez, five, from Peru, went missing on June 10 from the occupied Astor Hotel in Florence
Relatives of missing five-year-old girl Kataleya weep during a religious ceremony at the Baptist Church on Sunday
A police officer searches a trash can for evidence of the five-year-old, who disappeared more than a week ago
On Sunday, ten police officers began emptying trash cans outside the squatted hotel where Kataleya was staying, while two teams of special officers arrived with search equipment.
Eight forensic technicians were also on site when the investigators finally cleared the building of all residents in order to be able to carry out an unhindered search for the first time.
Antimafia police are believed to be involved in the ongoing search.
The difficult inspection of the building is due to resume tomorrow morning and the building has been staffed to prevent intruders and compromise of evidence.
A nearby garage and building in Maragliano were also searched by officers as they suspect the five-year-old may have been taken there temporarily.
Kataleya’s family stayed in a room in the former hotel, which was occupied in September last year. When she was six months old, they moved to Italy.
On Saturday, the building was cleared and 140 people were found to be living there illegally.
The hotel has recently seen several violent incidents, including an attack on an Ecuadorian who reportedly jumped from the third floor to avoid a knife-wielding gang.
Kataleya’s parents, Kathrina Alvarez and Miguel Angel Romero, attended a service on Via Lulli, near the hotel, to pray for their daughter’s safe return.
In a letter from the parish priest, Father Juan Manuel Núñez Rubio, chaplain of the Latin American community in Florence, it was announced that Cadinal Giuseppe Betori had asked people to pray for the missing child, La Repubblica reported.
“These disappearances mobilized many people of good will,” he adds, “who, from the moment they learned of the disappearance, courageously committed, rallied, and began the search.”
“This disappearance saddened not only the Peruvians present in Florence, but also the entire Florentine community, including those from abroad, especially Peru.”
Special officers gained access to the entire building for the first time on Sunday after removing 140 illegal residents
The Peruvian community in Florence gathers in the street with placards to plead for the five-year-old’s return
“We welcome again the invitation that Cardinal Giuseppe Betori addressed to all the parishes of the Diocese of Florence to pray for the return of our Kataleya.”
Miguel was released on Tuesday from jail, where he has been held since March on charges of theft and credit card fraud, on condition that he visits the local police station twice a week.
He admitted he had previously had issues at the former Astor hotel but said earlier in the week: “I’ve had issues here before but I don’t think it’s because of this thing, I can’t believe it’s it is a little girl.”
Miguel confirmed that the family paid rent for their “share” in the hotel, adding, “We only bought once, we rented two rooms, my brother and my father too.” I believe it’s a kidnapping.
“Maybe because of blackmail, I don’t know, I don’t have to judge, God will judge, but my little girl has nothing to do with it.” I don’t want to have any more problems with anyone, I love my family.’
Kathrina was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after taking bleach in desperation and saying, “I’m fine.” Forgive me if I thought for a moment about giving up and losing hope. But now I’m stronger and I won’t rest until I find you.’
The Peruvian community in Florence repeatedly took to the streets with placards demanding the girl’s release.