UPDATED: Headline: Four Visiting Children Reported Missing After Disappearing From Parked Vehicle

Four children, all ages 8 and younger, are the focus of an active police search after they disappeared from a vehicle parked at the Townhouse Mega Store compound on Friday morning.

Preliminary information indicates the children, who are visiting Antigua and do not reside on the island, were left inside a parked vehicle while their aunt went into Community First.

When she returned, the children were gone.

Police have responded to the scene and launched an extensive search. Officers are using a drone as part of the operation as they work to locate the children.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain unclear. While speculation has surfaced that the incident may be linked to a family dispute, authorities have not confirmed that information.

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist in locating the children to contact them immediately as investigations continue.

EARLIER REPORT: Police are seeking the public’s assistance after four children were reported missing from a van in a townhouse parking lot.

According to a widely circulated missing persons notice, the children are 8, 5 and 3 years old. A photograph of one of the 8-year-old children has been released as part of the appeal.

Anyone who sees the children or has information about their whereabouts is urged to call 780-0773 or contact the nearest police station immediately.

Authorities have not yet released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, including the location of the townhouse complex or when the children were last seen. The matter remains under investigation.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: BREAKING: Four Children Reported Missing After Van Disappears From Parking Lot.