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Bolton schoolgirl Lillia, 13, is reunited with her mum after eight-day search across Greater Manchester

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.

Lillia, 13, whose disappearance has now entered its second week, was captured on CCTV near a blue car in footage released by police as the search continues.
Lillia, 13, whose disappearance has now entered its second week, was captured on CCTV near a blue car in footage released by police as the search continues.

Lillia's mother endured "eight days of torture" before an on-duty officer recognised her daughter during a proactive patrol in Manchester city centre on Saturday evening and confirmed her identity. Greater Manchester Police had tracked the 13-year-old across the region via CCTV since she vanished from Bolton's Ainsworth Lane on September 11, with sightings on buses, at a McDonald's in Piccadilly Gardens, and finally at Manchester Piccadilly bus station on the Monday morning. Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley said Lillia's photo had been circulated to every officer on duty throughout the eight days, and praised the public for thousands of online shares that helped trace her movements.

Lillia was last seen on CCTV at 10.36am on September 14 before being found five days later.

Chief Supt Critchley praised Lillia's mum for 'incredible strength' and asked the public to give the family privacy.

Police say they 'have not stopped' tracking Lillia's movements since day one, using the bus network as the key thread.

MoreYahoo News UKMissing Lillia found after CCTV tracked her across Greater ManchesterMetroMissing 13-year-old girl Lillia found 'safe and well' after eight-day disappearaDaily RecordHow missing Lillia, 13, was traced by police after massive eight-day search for schoolgirl
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