Private Investigators drop bombshell: Haymanut Kasau’s disappearance was a kidnapping — Here’s the proof

The Mysterious Disappearance of 9-Year-Old Haymanut Kasau: A Year Without Answers

Nearly a year has passed since 9-year-old Haymanut Kasau disappeared from a reception center in Safed, and the case remains shrouded in mystery. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the Israeli police have been unable to provide any answers as to her whereabouts. Now, with a year gone by, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate for her family, who continue to push for more effective action to locate their daughter.

Haymanut Kasau, originally from an Ethiopian-Jewish family, was last seen entering an absorption center in Safed on February 25, 2024. She had arrived at the center, where new immigrants typically begin their integration process into Israeli society. Yet, she never emerged from the facility, prompting her family and authorities to launch a search that has so far yielded no significant leads. Initial speculations ranged from the possibility that the young girl had fallen into a pit to other theories, but these ideas have not led to any breakthrough. As the case has unfolded, new evidence and disturbing testimonies have emerged, suggesting that the disappearance was not a mere accident but rather a kidnapping.

New Findings: Private Investigators and Troubling Developments

Private investigators, who took a fresh look at the case, now claim that they have evidence suggesting that Haymanut Kasau was kidnapped. After reviewing security camera footage from around the absorption center and conducting months of research, they now assert that the possibility of her falling into a pit, as initially speculated by the police, can be almost certainly ruled out. This new direction in the investigation has raised serious questions about the original handling of the case.

As police and investigators continue their search, troubling questions persist regarding the lack of significant updates. During a special project broadcasted on Monday on "Central Edition," Maya Buenos delved deeper into the case and returned with disturbing findings. She suggested that the failure to find answers in such a prolonged investigation may have been influenced by a disparity in how the case was handled, particularly in comparison to other cases that gained greater attention.

The family of Haymanut has expressed their frustration with the authorities' inability to locate her after nearly a year. Her father, Tesfaye Kasau, has been vocal in his criticism, accusing the police and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration of not doing enough. "There is intelligence information that we, the family, are passing on to the police, but they are checking it with great delay," he stated. Kasau also suggested that the case's status should be changed from "missing" to "abducted," which would allow authorities to use additional resources and tools to track down Haimnut.

The Political Debate: Calls for Action

In response to the continuing lack of progress, a series of meetings were held in the Knesset, including one on February 25, 2024, marking a year since her disappearance. MK Oded Forer, the chairman of the Knesset's Immigration and Absorption Committee, was outspoken in his criticism of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, calling their response a "failure." He urged the government to create a special investigative committee led by a judge to look into the case and to launch a more aggressive public campaign to spread awareness of Haymanut's disappearance. Forer also noted that the campaign launched by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration had been inadequate and needed to be renewed and expanded.

In addition, MK Tzaga Melaku from Likud also voiced her concerns, stating that the definition of the case should be changed from "missing" to "abducted." "Heimnut was abducted from a reception center, a place that should be the safest for her and her family," Melaku pointed out. She emphasized that the public needed to see Haimnut's face everywhere in Israel to ensure that as many people as possible were aware of the case.

MK Melaku also highlighted the deep trust issues between the Ethiopian community and the police, which have been exacerbated by the slow actions taken in the investigation. This sentiment has been echoed by Haimnut's family, particularly her father, who has repeatedly criticized the authorities for their lack of urgency.

Disturbing Testimonies and New Leads

As the investigation progresses, the testimony of one of Haymanut's friends has become a significant point of focus. The friend, who was with Haymanut in the moments leading up to her disappearance, claimed that a man with long sideburns picked Haymanut up and ran away with her. The friend further stated that the same man tried to abduct her as well, but she managed to escape. This testimony was shared with the Knesset during a session in which Haymanut's father demanded that the police re-examine the statements made by the young friend.

Despite the gravity of this new lead, the police have dismissed the version of events provided by the friend, claiming that it has been thoroughly examined and ruled out. However, members of the Knesset, such as MK Tamano-Shata, have called for the testimonies of the children to be revisited, urging the police to consult experts trained in collecting testimonies from minors, including social workers and educators.

Haymanut’s sister, Yaros Kessau, also shared her perspective, explaining that her sister's friend had reported seeing two men with sideburns and kippahs attempting to abduct Haymanut. However, due to the fear the friend experienced, she was unable to recall any more specific details about the perpetrators. Yaros expressed the family's pain, describing how they have been left in the dark with no information or answers.

Search Efforts and the Lack of Results

Despite these new leads, the police have not been able to provide any significant updates. On several occasions, intensive search efforts have been conducted, including operations in the forests and industrial areas surrounding the absorption center where Haymanut was last seen. However, these efforts have yet to yield any meaningful findings. Chief Inspector Amir Samania, the commander of the police unit in the Kinneret region, confirmed that between 60 to 70 search operations had been conducted in the past two months alone, yet nothing substantial had been discovered.

In the wake of these continued failures, the family, the Knesset, and concerned citizens have begun to demand greater action and transparency from the authorities. The Jewish Agency, in an effort to encourage tips from the public, has offered a monetary reward for information leading to Haimnut's discovery. Initially set at 100,000 shekels, the reward has since been increased to 350,000 shekels, following crowdfunding efforts by the family.

Looking Forward: A Call for Action

As the anniversary of Haimnut’s disappearance approaches, both the family and the public remain desperate for answers. The ongoing lack of progress has left many wondering whether the authorities are doing enough to locate the young girl. The lack of clarity around her abduction has raised critical questions about the effectiveness of the police investigation and the state’s handling of the case.

As discussions continue in the Knesset, the Kasau family’s calls for further action grow louder. The case of Haymanut Kasau has become a symbol of the need for a more thorough and coordinated response to missing children cases in Israel. As the search for Haimnut continues, the hope remains that public pressure, coupled with new investigations and resources, may one day bring her home.