Muscat: Omani authorities have collected DNA samples as part of an investigation into the case of two-year-old Dana, who was abandoned in Buraimi Public Park in April, Gulf News has learnt.
Dana was found crying alone in the park, after an Omani woman took her there and called the police to come retrieve her. The woman, along with an Omani man, believed to be the girl’s father, were held in police custody for months but later released on bail. DNA samples were collected from Dana and the Omani man.
The names of the people involved in the case have not been revealed by authorities as the investigation is currently under review.
The girl’s mother is believed to be a Saudi national who used to live with her Omani boyfriend in Buraimi, a town that borders the UAE city of Al Ain.
Investigators believe the mother fled the country, but Omani authorities say they have been unable to get any information about the woman’s whereabouts.
After she fled, the Omani man asked an Omani woman to help him care for the girl, according to his testimony to the police.
It is unclear why the Omani man decided to abandon the girl in the park.
Dana is currently in a care centre in Al Khoudh in Seeb province under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Development.
Many families have offered to adopt her, but authorities are waiting for the case to be closed with the courts first.
