Police suspect relative abducted missing children last seen near Dalfsen station

Police suspect that missing children were abducted by someone within their relational circle but have not provided further details, citing the ongoing investigation. The children, 11-year-old Leya’nyssa (Leya) and her 6-year-old brother M’qaydian (M’Qaydi), were last seen around 8 a.m. near the train station in Dalfsen, Overijssel. Dutch authorities have issued an Amber Alert for the siblings, who are believed to have been taken on Monday morning.

As part of the investigation, police executed a raid on a house in Enschede, a city about 50 kilometers from Dalfsen. Tubantia reported that officers entered the home, but no one was found inside. Police have not confirmed the connection between the residence and the missing children. However, local residents told Tubantia reporters that a woman lived in the house, and that authorities removed the children from her care several years ago. Some neighbors claimed they recognized Leya and M’Qaydi from the police photos as the woman’s former children.

One classmate who attends primary school Sjaloom with one of the missing children said the two subjects of the Amber Alert live with a foster family in Dalfsen, according to RTV Oost. That family is also receiving counselling and support.

"We can now share that we assume it was a kidnapping in a familial context," police said in a statement. "We do not want to give specific information about this, but we do think it is important to let it be known that this case does not concern random people involved."

Despite the raid, police have not disclosed any specific leads regarding the children’s current location. Officials emphasized that a targeted local search would only be conducted if concrete evidence justified it.

Authorities remain deeply concerned about the children’s well-being. “We don’t know where they are, and that’s why we’re calling on the public for help. Anyone with information should contact the police immediately,” the spokesperson added.

Leya, described as 1.55 meters tall with light-colored eyes, and M’Qaydi, who is 1.25 meters tall with similar light-colored eyes, come from the same family and were living in a group home in Dalfsen. Their foster parents are receiving support from Namens de Familie, a foundation affiliated with Victim Support Netherlands, which assists families in crisis situations.

Dalfsen’s acting mayor, Rikus Jager, has been briefed on the case and expressed serious concerns about the situation. “As far as I know, the children are originally from another municipality. There is significant worry over their safety,” he said.

The authorities have chosen not to release the children’s last names, citing privacy concerns. “Sharing names and photos is already highly impactful for the children. Information on the internet can persist for a long time, which is why we are not disclosing their last names at this stage,” police explained. Authorities also urge anyone who may have seen the children or has relevant information to contact them immediately.

Amber Alerts are issued in the Netherlands only when a missing child is believed to be in immediate danger. The system has been in use since 2008 and is activated just one or two times per year. Regional alerts, which are less severe, occur more frequently—around six to eight times per year. “The Amber Alert is a powerful tool that engages the entire nation in searching for a missing child in imminent danger,” police said.