Cops searching for 9-y-o twins

An Ananda Alert has been activated for missing nine-year-old twins Yahamalit and Tiwahrisah Holness of Norwood, St James, who have been missing since June 14.

At the time of their disappearance, the twins were reportedly in the care of their foster parents. On Wednesday the police's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) confirmed that the matter was reported by a social worker.

"They were placed under the supervision of somebody who is not their parents. The placement was mandated by the state. Apparently the parents were deemed unfit and so the children were placed in the care of a person," a CCU representative told the news team. "We don't know where the biological parents are but we do know where the foster parents are. The matter was reported by the social worker."

The CCU also said in a release on Wednesday that "all attempts to locate them [the twins] have failed". When contacted for a comment, acting commander for the St James Police Division, Superintendent Carlos Russell, said he was made aware of the matter on Wednesday and that a high priority has been placed on the investigation.

"We will be ensuring that we pull out all stops to come to a resolution quickly," he said.

According to police statistics, a total of 2,142 people have remained missing across Jamaica since 2018 after their whereabouts became unknown. Of that amount, 940 are girls while 228 are boys.