[REVISION HISTORY]

Infant disappearance investigation in Sivas, Turkey

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2026-10-14 11:46 UTC → 2026-11-06 09:06 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, continue to search for 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, who disappeared from a tent in the Divriği district’s İncedere Plateau on September 10. Search operations involving AFAD, gendarmerie commandos, AI-supported drones, tracking dogs, and cadaver dogs have covered approximately 45 square kilometers, but no traces of the infant have been found. The investigation has been marked by conflicting testimonies from the mother, Elif Balıkçı. She initially suggested the child was kidnapped or sold, but later alleged that the father, Yusuf Balıkçı, murdered the infant and buried her in a nearby area. While the father denies these accusations, the investigation has led to the detention of 12 suspects and the arrest of six individuals, including the parents and several relatives, on charges such as intentional homicide and concealing evidence. A recent development involving the victim’s siblings—who are currently under state protection—alleged that a man named Mehmet K. took the baby to Diyarbakır in a vehicle to settle a debt. Although Mehmet K. was apprehended following a photo identification, he denied the allegations. After an investigation into HTS records yielded no criminal evidence, he was released under judicial control. Following 23 57 days of searching, the case ~~has shifted from a~~ remains focused on the infant's disappearance ~~report to a~~ and suspected homicide. The siblings provided statements to experts and sociologists alleging that the infant died after being dropped during a violent altercation. They claim the father assaulted the mother, causing the baby to fall and sustain fatal injuries. Consequently, Yusuf Investigators previously recovered bloody and ~~Elif Balıkçı have been arrested on charges of intentional killing of a child. Several relatives,~~ torn clothing, including ~~Rahime Budak, Özcan Budak, Mehmet Resul Balıkçı,~~ a t-shirt, bodysuit, and ~~Mihtad Balıkçı,~~ diaper, approximately 2 to 3 kilometers from the family's tent. These items have ~~also~~ been ~~detained for destroying evidence~~ sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute to confirm if they belong to the infant and ~~sheltering a criminal.~~ to analyze potential blood evidence. The Divriği Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has imposed a publication ban on the case.

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