‘Heartbroken’ grandparents appeal to bring missing grandkids back to Manchester

The grandparents of three missing children believed to be in Libya have spoken of their heartbreak and desperation to bring them back home.

Khalid Algehani, eight, Aasayah Algehani, six, and Maimunah Algehani, four, were last seen by their mum Dawn Daley when their dad came to pick them up from her home in Wythenshawe on July 30th.

According to Dawn, her ex-husband Fares Aljehani was supposed to be taking their children to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, with the plan to return them home the following week on August 10th. 

However, Dawn raised the alarm when she went to pick up her children and found nobody was at home.

Dawn Daley

Dawn believes the children may have been taken to Tunisia before crossing into Libya, where Fares has family. 

Weeks have passed since their disappearance, and the grandparents of the children have now spoken of their heartbreak, saying while they have seen they are safe, they just want them to be brought back to Manchester ‘where they belong’. 

Phil and Lynne Daley told ITV News yesterday: “They’re lovely children. They are well missed.”

Phil added: “I’m heartbroken. I love my grandkids, everyone of them. It’s still early stages for the children because they are still thinking they’re on holiday – that’s what they would have been told.

“We had a video that came through of the three children in a pool playing and seeing them really happy… but in a few weeks, time only knows what it’s going to do, mentally for the children and that’s what we’re trying to act now to see if we can get them back.”

The couple have appealed to Fares to ‘do the right thing’ and bring the children home, and have said they are prepared to fly to Libya themselves to collect them.

Phil said: “Be a man and bring them home. Or if not, we will come and get them. We will pay for their flights. We will raise money and pay for their flights and bring them home.

“Their rightful place is with their mother. They were born here, in Manchester.”

Dawn Daley

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone with information about the children’s whereabouts to get in touch.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “On August 10th 2022, police received a report that three children aged 8, 6 and 4 were missing from their home in Wythenshawe.

“The children are believed to be with a family member. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the whereabouts of the children.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 8566051 quoting log number 3480 of 10 August 2022. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.