By Roberto Bustamante
Aug 23, 2024, 1:44 PM EDT
Virginia police investigating the disappearance of a 28-year-old mother late last month announced the arrest of her husband on charges of concealing a body.
Mamta Kafte Bhatt She was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, and spoke to a friend on the phone on July 28, the Manassas Park Police Department said.
Her husband Naresh Bhatt He reported last seeing her on July 31 but did not report her missing until Aug. 5, CBS affiliate WUSA reported.
Before his arrest, Bhatt told WUSA that his wife had disappeared three other times, but never for this long. “I’m the one that’s hurting… She’s the mother of my baby. She’s my wife. I’m the one that’s hurting, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to say,” he said.
A search warrant for the couple’s home was executed last Wednesday. During the search, Police obtained “additional evidence” that led to the chargesalthough no details were provided about the evidence found.
“I always thought he did something”
Bhatt was taken from his home in handcuffs, and the couple’s one-year-old daughter was also taken from the property to be placed in the care of the Department of Social Services.
“I’ve always thought he did something,” neighbor Ivy Freedman told WUSA.The mother would not leave her baby. She definitely wouldn’t miss her first birthday,” she added.
During a news conference, police also said the missing woman’s husband was not cooperating with the investigation. He faces a felony charge of prohibition against concealing a body, according to Manassas Park police.
The wife has not yet been found and the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing. At this time, officers could not confirm that she was dead.
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