Kidnapping fears after British girl, 13, disappears on Caribbean holiday, as 'beyond desperate' family beg for help

6 January 2023, 06:19 | Updated: 6 January 2023, 06:28

Dalika White Lezama is missing
Dalika White Lezama is missing. Picture: Facebook

By Kit Heren

Fears are growing that a young British girl has been abducted while on holiday with her family in the Caribbean.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Delika White Lezama, 13, from Greenford in west London, was in Trinidad and Tobago with her mother and brother, on a trip to visit her grandmother.

But she was last seen while going to a corner shop in the town of Sangre Grande on Trinidad nearly three weeks ago on December 17.

Delika's family desperately began searching for the teenage girl when she did not come home, but never found her, the Mirror reported.

Local anti-kidnapping police are working on the case, while the "beyond desperate" family have also been getting support from the Foreign Office.

Dalika White Lezama has been missing for nearly three weeks
Dalika White Lezama has been missing for nearly three weeks. Picture: Facebook

Delika's mother Delia said: "She didn't seem upset or angry when she left - there was nothing that would have made her run away.

"I can't think of anyone who could abduct her in particular, but everyone knows us, the whole community knows us, and that I come and go from the UK to see my mum all the time.

"My seven-year-old son is here as well, and I'm just trying to stay strong for him. At the moment I don't have the energy even just to say how I'm feeling."

Delia said that the family "looked everywhere" for young Delika, but without any luck.

Dalika's family are 'beyond desperate'
Dalika's family are 'beyond desperate'. Picture: Facebook

'We looked everywhere," she said. "A few people said the cameras weren't working in the area. It gets dark at around 5.30pm.

"I started to get worried as she doesn't know the area, she doesn't really speak the language, so I'm thinking anyone could have seen her or any driver could have picked her up."

"I don't know if she went somewhere and got lost."

Delia added: "The police told me they have some camera footage from the area that she walked, and they're still waiting for footage of people around the area as well.

"The police have searched people's houses, but we haven't found her. They've searched the rivers and the bushes to see if she's in the area."

Mother Speaks Of Son Being Kidnapped At Knifepoint

Vallence Rambharat, captain of the local search and rescue Team, said: 'We can confirm that Delika White Lezama is still missing.

"We can also confirm that investigations are continuing by the Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service."

Read more: Monarchy will 'support' any decisions by Caribbean nations to become republics

Read more: Benedict Cumberbatch targeted as Barbados seeks reparations from descendants of slave owners

Delika's older sister took to social media to beg for help getting her back.

She said: "There are a few different looks she could have right now but we aren't sure so if you see her or think you've seen her call the police. Please.

"Been just over 2 weeks and she's still missing. Has anyone seen or know of her whereabouts?'If you would like to remain anonymous that's definitely an option. Family, friends and police will follow any and every lead at this moment in time.

"Could someone, anyone just stand up with some sort of information please. We are beyond desperate to find her."

Anyone with information on Delika's whereabouts should contact Trinidad and Tobago Police Service's anti-kidnapping unit, Hunters Search and Rescue Team, Sangre Grande Police Station at 668-2444 or 800-TIPS or the police at 555, 999, 911.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Artist's impression of the new national biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey

New centre to tackle 'risk of future pandemics' gets billion-pound investment

Screenings for cervical cancer save at least 2,000 lives each year in the UK

NHS to offer at-home cervical cancer screening test kits that 'could save 5,000 lives per year'

Zelensky visits 10 Downing Street for talks with Keir Starmer on Monday

Zelensky warns Putin could launch an attack on NATO 'within five years'

Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt arriving at the F1 The Movie premiere in Leicester Square.

'Interview with the Vampire' co-stars Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise make 'surprise' public reunion after 24 years

The first Brits are arriving in the UK after being evacuated from Israel.

First Brits rescued from Israel touch down at Heathrow Airport as more to arrive in coming days

The president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) said professionals are in distress

Stretched mental health services leaving psychiatrists ‘in emotional and ethical distress’

Jobs will be created at warehouses in locations including Hull and Northampton

Amazon’s new UK warehouses to hire thousands as Starmer hails ‘win’ for Britain

Iran has launched an attack on a US military base.

Trump claims Israel and Iran have agreed 'complete and total ceasefire' as Tehran warns there is 'no agreement' on peace

A Qatar Airways flight from Manchester was forced to divert earlier this evening

UK flight bound for Doha forced to turn back after Iran launches missiles at US air base in Qatar

Sir Keir Starmer will fly to the Hague today for crunch meetings against a backdrop of global volatility in the Middle East and Ukraine.

UK and NATO allies to include 'money spent on tackling small boats' to boost defence spending in bid to appease Trump

The

Thousands raised after family die in motorway crash - daughter, 8, is only survivor

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse

Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

Emma Raducanu during a practice session during Eastbourne Open, where she is currently competing

Raducanu says Wimbledon 'did amazing job' after stalker tried to buy match tickets

Large fire engulfs the abandoned Hotspur Press mill building near Oxford Road in Central Manchester. Credit Milo Chandler/Alamy Live News

Major fire in Manchester city centre causes serious disruption

Notorious criminal John 'Goldfinger' Palmer was murdered at his home in Brentwood in Essex in 2015. His killer has never been found

Who killed John 'Goldfinger' Palmer? Police make fresh appeal 10 years after his death

An RAF flight has left Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country amid ongoing attacks between Iran and Israel.

First RAF flight evacuates 63 Britons from Israel as Lammy confirms one UK national injured in Iran missile attacks