Bouchra Marbouhi recounts the final moments with her daughter on the morning of September 26, as she prepared her for school and mentioned her father would pick her up for a sleepover. Marbouhi, 31, shared that her daughter had crafted a birthday card for her upcoming birthday on the 29th. However, Marbouhi never received the card as her daughter, aged five, has been missing for over a month after being taken out of the country by her father, Ahmed ElGammal, in defiance of a court order. The child’s identity is being safeguarded by CBC News.
Marbouhi expressed her longing for her daughter, reminiscing about her scent, voice, and playful acts, while holding onto her daughter’s cherished stuffed toy. ElGammal, 36, is now the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Newfoundland and Labrador police for parental abduction against a custody order. Marbouhi is eager to ensure her daughter’s well-being and reunite her with her in Newfoundland.
Communication records indicate that ElGammal informed Marbouhi via text that he had taken their daughter out of the country, following a request for her early return. Despite initial disbelief, Marbouhi promptly alerted authorities upon receiving the notice. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is actively investigating the case to locate the child and verify her safety.
Marbouhi had foreseen ElGammal’s plan to take their daughter to Egypt, prompting her to obtain a court order to prevent the child’s removal from the province. However, the system’s failure to enforce the non-removal order has left Marbouhi questioning its effectiveness and expressing frustration over the lack of protective measures. Marbouhi, a Moroccan citizen, faced the denial of a temporary resident permit for victims of family violence, complicating her efforts to reclaim her daughter.
Despite ongoing efforts to secure her daughter’s return and ensure her safety, Marbouhi remains in limbo, anxiously awaiting updates on the situation. The community at Iris Kirby House, where Marbouhi and her daughter resided, is now devoid of the young girl’s presence, with Halloween festivities canceled in her absence. Marbouhi’s plea for her daughter’s safe return echoes through the challenges she faces in reuniting with her beloved child.