Reward Increased To $250k In Search To Find Missing 4-Year-Old Girl

4-year-old Lina Sadar Khil, a member of the Afghan refugee community in San Antonio, TX, went missing from a park on Dec. 20, 2021. The search to find her continues.

March 01, 2022
Lina Sardar Khil disappeared Dec. 20, 2021. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, red dress and black shoes. Lina has brown eyes and brown hair. Her ears are pierced and she had on small gold earrings.

Lina Sardar Khil disappeared Dec. 20, 2021. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, red dress and black shoes.

Photo by: San Antonio PD

San Antonio PD

Lina Sardar Khil disappeared Dec. 20, 2021. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, red dress and black shoes.

By: Michelle Sigona

When you look at the images of 4-year-old Lina Sardar Khil, the child’s bright eyes and spirit beam from the photos. Lina's face and name were thrown under the national spotlight only days before Christmas in 2021. Authorities said Lina vanished without a trace from a playground in San Antonio, TX while she was playing outdoors with other children and families.

The reward to find Lina has now reached $250k. The Islamic Center of San Antonio and Crimestoppers are offering the combined total.

According to authorities and published reports, Lina was reportedly not visible on cameras from 4:49 p.m. to 5:07 p.m. in the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road. Initially an Amber Alert was activated, but was later discontinued. Lina's mom reportedly left the area for a "brief" time and when she returned, she could not find her daughter. Authorities said Lina was not left alone because reportedly other parents and children were also playing.

Since the child's disappearance, multiple agencies have joined forces to find Lina. They've searched by ground and water to help locate her, but the efforts to date have unfortunately not been successful.

On Feb. 22, 2022, San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus tweeted, "There's been no pause in efforts. SAPD continues to work with the FBI to find Lina Sadar Khil who went missing on Dec. 20. The investigation is on-going.” McManus also said during a press conference in early January that the FBI deployed its Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team from Washington, D.C. to help investigate a lead early on.

Recently, more than 50 people from the community gathered to honor Lina's fourth birthday. Reports said community members prayed and shared songs. Riaz Sardar Khil, Lina's father, spoke out about the gathering. San Antonio Express News said Khil wants everyone to know, "Today is to remember and pray for Lina. We have not forgotten her. Today is to (remind) law enforcement officers that now is two months, and we don't have Lina with us."

Lina was last seen wearing a black jacket, red dress and black shoes. Eagles Flight & Advocacy Outreach, an organization that has also been on the ground searching, released a photo of what the dress and jewelry Lina was wearing looks like. The organization said the father sent them the photo of his daughter because many had questions about what the child was wearing.

Lina has brown eyes and brown hair. The bangle bracelets are blue and gold and if you look closely, Lina's ears are pierced and she had on small gold earrings. ABC News said Lina wore, "an article around her neck described as a Taweez, which is etched with verses from the Quran and usually worn for protection."

If you have any information at all, please reach the San Antonio Police Department Missing Persons Unit directly at 210-207-7660 or Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.

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