Foreign Family Leaves Toddler Behind at Cumilla Restaurant

A two-year-old girl was accidentally left behind at a roadside restaurant in Cumilla after a foreign family departed following breakfast, prompting local police to launch efforts to trace her relatives.

The incident took place on Saturday (27 June) at Zaitun Restaurant in the Mostafapur area of Sadar South Upazila, situated alongside the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway. According to restaurant authorities, the child remains unable to identify herself or provide her name, making it difficult to establish contact with her family.

Restaurant owner Lutfur Rahman Ripon said the matter was immediately reported to Sadar South Police Station after staff members realised that the young girl had been left alone inside the premises. Since then, the restaurant has been caring for the child while police continue their search for her family.

Security camera footage reviewed by the restaurant shows that at around 8:30 a.m., a group of approximately 15 foreign nationals arrived in two vehicles and sat together for breakfast. The family appeared relaxed and spent some time talking before preparing to leave. In the apparent confusion of departure, they unknowingly left the toddler inside the restaurant and drove away.

Staff members only discovered the child after noticing that no adult had returned for her. They checked the premises and reviewed the CCTV footage, which confirmed that the girl had arrived with the visiting family. The restaurant then contacted local police without delay.

Speaking about the incident, Ripon said the child is believed to be around two years old. She is unable to speak clearly and cannot tell anyone her name or where she lives. He appealed to the public for assistance in helping reunite the girl with her family should anyone recognise her or have relevant information.

Officer-in-Charge Rokikul Islam of Sadar South Police Station confirmed that officers had been dispatched to the restaurant after receiving the report. He said police are working to identify and locate the foreign family by examining CCTV footage and pursuing other available leads.

At present, there is no indication that the child was intentionally abandoned. Authorities believe the family may have left her behind inadvertently while travelling as part of a large group. Police are continuing their efforts to reunite the toddler with her relatives as quickly and safely as possible.