Italy in the grip of hunt for five-year-old girl ‘bundled in suitcase and kidnapped’

Italian police are desperate for a five-year-old Peruvian girl who was allegedly bundled into a suitcase and abducted from a hotel occupied by 140 illegal migrants in Florence.

Kataleya Mia Chicillo Alvarez, five, disappeared nine days ago from the Astor Hotel in Florence, where she lived with her family and more than 140 illegal migrants.

CCTV captured her at 3:12 p.m. on June 10 playing on a staircase near a hotel courtyard before disappearing.

No traces of Kataleya and her captors have been found in the area and the police theory is that she was bundled into a briefcase or briefcase and taken from one of the hotel’s two exits.

Staff from Italy’s Carabinieri Scientific Investigation Department and local services staff are desperate for the five-year-old and have taken her toothbrush for DNA analysis.

Relatives of the missing five-year-old girl, Kataleya, cry during a religious ceremony at the Baptist church on Sunday

A police officer searches a garbage can for traces of the five-year-old, who went missing more than a week ago

On Sunday, ten police officers began emptying bins outside the occupied hotel where Kataleya lived, while two teams of specialist officers arrived with search equipment.

Eight forensic officers were also on scene when detectives finally cleared the building of all residents to conduct an unimpeded search for the first time.

Inspection of the building continues Monday morning and the building is manned to prevent break-ins and interference with evidence.

A nearby building and garage were also combed by officers, as they believe the five-year-old was temporarily moved there.

Anti-mafia police are believed to be involved in the ongoing search.

Kataleya’s family lived in a room in the former hotel that opened last September. They moved to Italy when she was six months old.

The building was evacuated on Saturday and it was discovered that 140 people were living illegally there.

There have been several violent incidents at the hotel recently, including an attack on an Ecuadorian man, who reportedly jumped from the third floor to avoid a gang armed with knives.

Kataleya’s parents, Kathrina Alvarez and Miguel Angel Romero, attended a church service in Via Lulli, near the hotel, to pray for their daughter’s safe return.

A letter from the priest of the parish, Father Juan Manuel Núñez Rubio, chaplain of the Latin American community in Florence, announced that Cardinal Giuseppe Betori has asked people to pray for the missing child, La Republic reported.

“This disappearance has mobilized many people of good will – he adds – who, from the first moment they heard about the disappearance, got together and started the search.

“This disappearance saddened not only the Peruvians present in Florence, but also the entire Florentine community, even from abroad, especially from Peru.”

Specialized agents 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 streets with placards to call for the return of the five-year-old

“We welcome once again the invitation that Cardinal Giuseppe Betori has extended to all the parishes of the Diocese of Florence to pray for the return of our Kataleya.”

Miguel was released from prison on Tuesday, where he had been held since March for theft and credit card fraud, on the condition that he visit the local police station twice a week.

He admitted he’s had issues at the former Astor hotel before, but said earlier this week: “I’ve had issues here before but I don’t think it’s this thing, I can’t believe they got a little girl involved .

Miguel confirmed that the family paid rent for their ‘part’ of the hotel, adding: ‘We only bought once, we took two rooms, my brother and my father included. I think it’s a kidnapping.

“Maybe for extortion, 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 any more trouble with anyone, I love my family.’

Kathrina was released from the hospital on Wednesday after desperately taking bleach, saying, “It’ll be fine. Forgive me if I even thought 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 has repeatedly taken to the streets with placards demanding the girl’s release.