Kidnapped Child Eden Laird Found Unharmed in Gauteng, South Africa

Missing 13-month-old child Eden Laird, who disappeared on Wednesday together with his nanny – after she took him for a walk in Brackendowns, Alberton, South Africa – has been found… and rescued alive, thanks to a collaborative effort by security and law enforcement officers in SA, and a social media campaign led by Pink Ladies. As suspected by many – his nanny was allegedly involved in the kidnapping.

Pink Ladies, which specialises in finding missing children in South Africa, announced on Saturday morning: “FOUND KIDNAPPED CHILD Brackendowns GP Eden Laird 13 mths old 2 May 2018. Wonderful news the baby is found and been taken to hospital for medical.

“The child is unharmed; arrest have been made after a successful operation by all role players. We thank SAPS Brackendowns Col Tsabalala Col Thompson and team. CPF Brackendowns, PLTT/PLVT Clinton Swartz, Wendy Skeens plus our members FB Twitter who supported us and made this happen.”

The heroes who took part in the operational success are: PHO Trio LtCol Prowse, Capt Hicks Team; SAPS HO, Ekhuruleni Cluster, Brackendowns; Fidelity Specialised Services; Rentrak R4; and Brackendowns CPF.

Eden was kidnapped on 2 May 2018. LtCol Jordaan was the cluster duty officer on duty and was tasked with the resolution of the kidnapping.

Dessie Rechner, Director of Pink Ladies, confirmed that the suspects called the parents and demanded R6-million for the safe release of the child.

“After an unsuccessful money drop on the 3/5/2018 the PHO Trio Team was asked to assist with a money drop on the 4/5/2018. An operational plan was put together by the team and the money drop off was observed. When the team had sight of the baby a tactical takedown of the suspects was executed.

“The baby was safely returned to the father and taken to a hospital for a medical examination. Two suspects were arrested at the drop off point.

“After further investigations the domestic worker from the baby’s parents’ home was also arrested with some of the earlier received ransom money.”

According to Pink Ladies, further investigations led to the arrest of a further two suspects, and the vehicle used to transport the kidnapped baby – a red Nissan Sentra – was also recovered.

All suspects will be detained at Brackendowns SAPS; and FCS Ekhuruleni West Cluster will investigate the case further.

Pink Ladies said: “Let the healing begin…”