Age progression photo of Lina. Credit: National for Missing & Exploited Children
For the first time in this case, the National for Missing & Exploited Children has created a new image of Lina Sardar Khil who vanished from a playground in San Antonio, Texas in 2021. The image was created by forensic artists at NCMEC and shows what Lina looks like today at age 6. Investigators hope this new age progression image will generate fresh leads and help bring Lina back home to her family.
“It’s heartbreaking to look at Lina, now at six years old and still missing. For her family, seeing Lina’s sweet face at this age is especially tough but it also gives them new hope,” said Angeline Hartmann, Director of Communications at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. “We’ve seen countless times how our age progression images can be a driving force in the search for a missing child We’re now asking everyone to take a moment out of their day to take a close look at Lina’s image and share it with others. You never know who might have information that can help bring her home.”
Last month, the San Antonio Police Department received a new tip related to Lina's case. Investigators say the tip claimed that Lina was buried in a field behind an apartment complex near Wurzbach and Bluemel, an area about a half mile away from where Lina disappeared. Police searched the area, but it was determined that the information was not credible.
On Dec. 20, 2021, police say Lina's mother, Zarmeena Sardar Khil, took her 3-year-old daughter to the playground right next to their apartment complex. What was meant to be a playful and carefree day at the park, suddenly turned into any parent’s worst nightmare. Lina was last seen playing with the other children and families in her black jacket and red dress. At some point, Lina’s mom left the area for a few minutes, and when she returned, Lina was gone. After extensive searches and a statewide-issued AMBER Alert, there was still no sign of the little girl.
If you recognize the new image of Lina or know anything about her disappearance, please call NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or the San Antonio Police Department at 1-210-207-7273.
Republished courtesy of NCMEC