Case highlights how parents, schools and students need to be vigilant.
A missing teen scare turned into relief for police and school authorities when it was revealed that the girl had skipped school to meet her boyfriend. Her father, who had dropped her at the school gate just an hour earlier, was alarmed when the school called to report her absence.
Fearing the worst, he rushed to the school and the authorities alerted the police. Upon investigation, the police learned that the girl’s boyfriend had picked her up from school. They waited until the end of school hours and just before the final bell, the boyfriend returned the girl to the school gate.
The father confronted his daughter, who admitted to being with her boyfriend, whom she met at a social function. She confessed that she was influenced by her friends, who all had boyfriends. Police counselled the girl and her friends about their actions and the nature of teenage infatuation and the girl promised not to repeat such behaviour.
A senior cop noted that similar incidents had occurred recently, with three other girls disappearing with their boyfriends and later being found, including one traced to Surat. The incident serves as a reminder for parents and schools to remain vigilant.