The police have been looking for a missing family of ten for over a year now. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnish foundation aims to double protected forests with private donations
Finnish police are investigating whether a family of ten, missing since May 2024, is being sheltered by acquaintances in Finland or elsewhere in the Nordic region. The family, including seven children and a mother who was pregnant at the time of disappearance, vanished after the parents allegedly took the children from a state care facility without permission.
The disappearance occurred in Nykarleby, a small town in western Finland. According to police, the children had been placed under protective custody by child welfare authorities and were living in a child care unit in the Munsala district.
Police believe the parents removed the children without authorisation and left the area in a van.
Over a year later, investigators say no trace of the family has been found, either physically or digitally. The case prompted police this week to issue an unusual public appeal for information, including the release of photos of the family members.
“This is a highly exceptional case,” said chief investigator Tony Rauma. “A group this large disappearing without any trace is not normal. We’ve pursued all leads. At this point, the trail has gone cold.”
Police suspect the family may still be in Finland, potentially in Ostrobothnia or Southern Finland, but they have also alerted neighbouring countries and issued an international arrest warrant.
While there is no indication that the children are in immediate danger, their long-term welfare and legal status remain key concerns. “Our goal is to ensure the children receive the support and security to which they are entitled,” Rauma said.
Legal experts say the parents could face charges of unauthorised custody removal. If the children were taken abroad, the case could be treated as child abduction, which carries heavier penalties under Finnish law.
Those assisting the family may also be committing criminal offences. According to criminal law professor emeritus Matti Tolvanen, knowingly helping someone evade a custody order can lead to charges of aiding and abetting.
“If someone has provided shelter, transport or logistical support with knowledge of the crime, they may be guilty of assisting in an unlawful act,” Tolvanen said. “If the case escalates to child abduction, the aiding party could be prosecuted accordingly.”
Finnish law states that unauthorised custody persists until the children are returned to their assigned care facility. Anyone involved in facilitating the family’s continued evasion could face prosecution throughout that period.
The maximum penalty for unauthorised custody is six months’ imprisonment, while child abduction carries a potential two-year sentence. Aiding and abetting, or protecting a suspect, can lead to additional charges with sentences up to one year.
“The offence is relatively mild if it’s limited to custody issues,” Tolvanen said. “But if it turns out the family left the country, the legal consequences would be more severe.”
Police also note the logistical difficulty of hiding a family of this size, pointing out that accommodation, food and other needs require significant external support.
“Maintaining concealment for ten people over this length of time likely means a support network has formed,” said a statement from the Ostrobothnia police department.
The family consists of the parents and their seven children, born between 2007 and 2021. At the time of disappearance, the mother was expecting another child. No sightings or confirmed evidence of their location have been reported since.
Police urge anyone with knowledge of the family’s whereabouts to come forward. Investigators continue to process tips received following the public appeal but have not disclosed any promising developments.
HT
- Next Article Finnish foundation aims to double protected forests with private donations
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
