Authorities in Banteay Meanchey’s Poipet town are trying to find the parents of a three-month-old girl who officials say they rescued while she was being taken to Thailand as part of a human trafficking operation.

Un Kathan, chief of a Poipet-based mobile unit of immigration police, said that on November 21, his forces stopped a 15-year-old suspected drug addict who was carrying the baby girl across the border.   

According to Kathan, the teen claimed that another man had posed as the boy’s father, and had asked him to bring the baby to Thailand.

“I think the boy was taking the baby for this fake father, but fortunately we have stopped this activity on time,” Kathan said.

But the so-called fake father said he was the real parent, according to police. When asked to prove it, he said he needed a few days to retrieve the paperwork.

Using the window of time, he allegedly slipped out of sight and hasn’t been heard from since.

Left with a three-month-old baby in their care, immigration authorities sent the girl to stay with a Poipet resident while they monitor the situation, provide money for food and clothes, and search for the parent or legal guardian.

So far no one has stepped forward to claim the girl.

To contact the reporter on this story: Khoun Leakhana at [email protected].