Missing 13-year-old girl Lillia is found: Relief for family as police confirm teenager is ‘safe and well’ after disappearing eight days ago

The teenage girl who went missing in Manchester has been found ‘safe and well’ eight days after she disappeared. 

Lillia, 13, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was reported missing by her family on September 11 after she was last seen at a city bus station. 

Her mother had issued a tearful appeal for her daughter’s return after she vanished more than a week ago.   

However, Lillia has now been found and is currently with officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP). 

The force said the teenager had been found ‘safe and well’ in the city centre, adding that her family had been informed. 

A spokesman for GMP said: ‘Thank you to everyone who shared our missing appeal for 13-year-old Lillia, who has been missing since Friday 11 September 2026.

‘We can confirm that she has been found safe and well in the city centre.

‘She is currently with our officers, and her next-of-kin have been informed of this update.

Lillia, a 13-year-old girl from Bolton, was reported missing in Manchester eight days ago

Lillia’s mother Jessica (right) weeps as Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley reads out an appeal for the teenager to come home before she was found

Greater Manchester Police previously released CCTV of Lillia at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on Monday

‘We will release more information in due course.’

This week, Lillia’s mother, Jessica, sobbed as she sat next to Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, who read out a heartbreaking statement on her behalf.

‘Lil, I love you so so much. My heart is breaking without you here,’ she said.

‘I need to know you are safe. We all need you back home safe and well.’

GMP said earlier on Saturday that Lillia was last seen at Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10.36am on Monday, September 14.

CCTV footage from the bus station showed Lillia wearing a black zip-up hooded top, dark trousers and a black Nike backpack. 

She is believed to have boarded the number 36 bus in Salford and alighted at the station.

Lillia was also previously seen wearing light blue baggy jeans, a black hoodie and black backpack

Lillia is seen on CCTV at a McDonald’s on Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens on Sunday at around 8.20pm

Previously the last sighting they had of the teenager was at 1.50pm on Saturday at the Trafford Centre shopping complex – where she boarded the 247 bus towards Altrincham. At that time, she was wearing light blue baggy jeans.

Officers scouring CCTV footage identified a further sighting of Lillia at the McDonald’s in Manchester city centre’s Market Street on Sunday at about 8.20pm.

Lillia’s aunt Nina posted on social media as part of the family’s appeal, saying she has no phone on her, very little money and no supplies other than her rucksack.

She added: ‘Lillia comes from a very loving family with a mum who does an amazing job and I couldn’t ask for a better mum for Lil.

‘I was with Lillia a few weeks ago and asked her how school and life was, she showed no concerns and said everything was good, I gave her a hug and told her to keep being good for her mam.

‘As a family we have no idea what has made Lillia become untraceable.’

On Saturday, a large advertising board featuring pictures of Lillia was stationed in Piccadilly Gardens.