Village Mayor of Dziewkowice: A weight has lifted from our hearts after finding Patrycja

Marian Marek recalls the last few days, which were very difficult and full of emotions for everyone. After Patrycja went missing, it was determined that on Tuesday, May 13, she was seen walking past the school. She drew attention. It was 12:30 p.m. and children her age had the day off because of their eighth-grade exams.

That day, Patrycja disappeared without a trace. Of course, the family alerted the services, but the news of the child's disappearance spread widely in Dziewkowice only in the morning of May 14. "We were terrified by this information. I don't remember such a situation ever happening in our town," says Marian Marek. The residents decided to start searching. They spontaneously started reporting to the village head.

– We were all in shock. Everyone wanted to help. The response was huge, people came not only from the commune, but also from Gliwice and Wrocław – says the head of Dziewkowice.

Volunteers searched nearby quarries. Many initially expected the worst. During the search, information began to emerge, which other children spread during conversations with their parents. It was disturbing, even shocking. Patrycja's friends revealed that she had been bragging to them about stories "about an older boy."

People began to suspect that Patrycja could have voluntarily left home and was staying with the aforementioned mysterious boy. Then the news broke that Patrycja had probably been seen in Gliwice. However, the search continued, and in Poland the Child Alert procedure was launched.

The circumstances of Patrycja's disappearance are now being investigated by the police and prosecutors. The girl probably took a train to Gliwice on May 13, where Karol B. was waiting for her. This is evidenced by a recording from the Gliwice station monitoring system. The cameras recorded the 24-year-old walking with Patrycja on the platform.

How did they end up in the 24-year-old's apartment in Żory? The police are still investigating these facts. Perhaps Karol B.'s interrogation at the prosecutor's office will provide more information.

The 24-year-old was detained by the police on Thursday, May 15 at 4:00 a.m. in one of the workplaces in the Wodzisław district. He was surprised by the visit of investigators. He was supposed to give them the keys to the apartment where the 11-year-old was staying. An hour later, the police found Patrycja in one of the apartments in Żory. The girl was already in the care of her mother. She was safe and sound.

– We were going crazy. On Thursday, when we found out she was safe and sound, we felt a huge sense of relief – the village head recalls.

Our interviewee sees Patrycja as a calm, quiet girl, who rather stands on the sidelines. Up until now, she has not caused any problems with her upbringing. Her mother, grandparents and relatives have lived in Dziewkowice for generations. It is a widely respected family. Patrycja's mother raised her daughter alone, living with her parents for most of her life. She recently rented an apartment in Strzelce Opolskie. However, Patrycja was more connected to Dziewkowice, because that is where she goes to school.

- We live here as a family, we treat this event as a family story, everyone experienced it emotionally. No one condemns anyone, it could have happened to any of us. These are the times we live in. We will do everything to make everyone feel good now - emphasizes the village head.

We were in the block where 11-year-old Patrycja was being held. Neighbors are outraged

Search for Patrycja from Dziewkowice. The girl was found in Żory.

Dziewkowice has 1,350 inhabitants.