New Sighting of Missing Teenager Lillia, 13, as Mother Pleads for Safe Return

Police have confirmed a new sighting of Lillia, a 13-year-old girl reported missing on September 11, who was last seen at Manchester Piccadilly bus station on Monday, September 14. The update comes as her mother made a public plea for her safe return.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that Lillia was last observed at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10:36 a.m. on Monday. CCTV footage showed her wearing a black zip-up hooded top, dark trousers, and a black Nike backpack. It is believed she boarded the number 36 bus in Salford and alighted at the station.

Lillia is described as white, slim, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, with light brown hair and glasses. Previously, she was seen at the Trafford Centre shopping complex at 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, wearing light blue baggy jeans, and boarded the 247 bus towards Altrincham. Another sighting placed her at a McDonald's in Manchester city centre's Market Street on Sunday, September 13, around 8:20 p.m.

Lillia's mother, Jessica, tearfully appealed for her daughter's safe return, saying, "Lill, I love you so so much. My heart is breaking without you here. I need to know you are safe. We all need you back home safe and well."

Her aunt, Nina, shared on social media that Lillia has no phone, very little money, and only her rucksack with her. Nina emphasized that Lillia comes from a loving family and that the family has no understanding of what might have caused her to become untraceable. She added that the family is experiencing sleepless nights and described the heartbreak of Lillia's mother as "horrific." Nina urged anyone with Lillia to tell her she is not in trouble and that everything will be okay once she is home.

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley of GMP thanked the public and media for their support. "Our thoughts continue to be with her family, and friends. I would like to thank her mum for her support with our appeals over the past few days. She has shown incredible strength throughout, and we are doing all we can to bring her daughter back home to her," Critchley stated. Officers are reviewing extensive CCTV footage and exploring all avenues to locate Lillia. "We can now confirm that our last known current sighting was of Lillia at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on the morning on Monday 14 September," Critchley added. She confirmed Lillia exited the number 36 bus at Piccadilly, having boarded it in Salford. The bus route travels from Bolton through Salford into Manchester city centre.

GMP is appealing for anyone with information regarding Lillia's whereabouts or movements from the number 36 bus, or anyone who saw her at Piccadilly Gardens or the McDonald's on Sunday, September 13, to contact them. Police are keeping an open mind to the possibility that Lillia may have traveled outside the Greater Manchester area. A public portal has been set up on the GMP website for submitting information, and tips can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers.```jsonjsoner: