A street dweller was arrested by members of the Quezon City Police District for allegedly abducting a one-year-and-seven-month-old daughter of a fellow street dweller in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City. 

While the suspect is under police custody, the child remains missing. 

Melvin Lorenas, the child’s father is worried for his child’s condition.

“Sobrang bigat, sobrang hirap po ng ano namin, Ang bigat sa pakiramdam, hindi na namin alam kung nasaan 'yung anak namin (It’s hard. It is very difficult for us. The feeling is unbearable, we don’t know where our child is)," he said. 

The suspect has been with the victim’s family for about two weeks prior to the incident, according to Lorenas.

As street dwellers, Lorenas said they roam around convenience stores, opening and holding doors in exchange for alms.

He said he was preparing food for his family when the suspect approached him and offered to buy them food.

Based from a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage taken on Dec. 10,  the suspect was seen exiting a convenience store while carrying the missing child.

Authorities conducted a search in the area but did not succeed in locating the suspect. After a second search, police found the suspect and was placed in custody.

The suspect is detained at the Novaliches Police Station, facing charges for violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, in relation to Article 270 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers kidnapping and failure to return a minor. 

Lorenas appealed to the public for help in finding her daughter. 

Meanwhile, the police have began backtracking activities of CCTV footage and coordinated with other police stations and barangays.