Police transport toddler from Himandhoo to Male’

Police and officials from Ministry of Gender have gone to A. A. Himandhoo, and are now transporting a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler to Male’ to enforce an order by Family Court to hand over the custody of the toddler to the mother.

Police confirmed to “Sun” on Wednesday that a team of police officers and ministry officials operated in Himandhoo. And said that they had now left the island with the toddler and the father.

Police information officer Ismail Ali said that the toddler was not being transferred to state custody, and that the toddler’s father was not being arrested by police either.

Ismail said that the father was being brought along with the toddler to make it less traumatic for the child, and to make sure things go smoothly.

He said that the toddler would be handed over to the mother through police Child Protection Department in Male’.

An official from Ministry of Gender who spoke to “Sun” on the matter said that their officials got involved in the operation as per usual protocol when a child is involved in a matter, to ensure the child’s wellbeing.

Family Court issued the order after the father refused to hand over the child to its mother.

Rumors have spread that the father “fled” to Himandhoo with the toddler to avoid handing over the child to the mother.

Police had gone to Himandhoo over the issue previously as well, last April.