MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Manassas Park Police say they conducted a welfare check at the home of a 28-year-old mother three days before she was reported missing by her husband.
Police Chief Mario Lugo confirmed to WUSA9 that on Aug. 2, his officers responded to Mamta Kafle Bhatt's home following concerns from her colleagues at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Naresh Bhatt reported his wife missing on Aug. 5, according to authorities.
On Monday, WUSA9 questioned Naresh Bhatt outside the Manassas Park Police Department about the delay in reporting, but he said those questions needed to be directed to officials.
Police released the details about the case on Aug. 8, but according to Lugo, the incident went immediately into a missing person's database.
On Tuesday, members of the Nepalese community gathered outside the Manassas Park Police Department, two weeks after Mamta Kafle Bhatt went missing.
"There's an 11-month-old daughter that's left behind, and everybody that's well wishing her, hoping that we can find her," Arjun Kahdka told WUSA9. "Unite her, mom with kid and see their happy faces again."
The group says they want bring awareness to the mother's case, but also they want answers.
"I have two questions, one where Mamta is? What condition is she in," Sunita Basnet asked, describing herself as Mamta Kafle Bhatt's work mother. "The next question, if you cannot find Mamta have you started interrogating anybody?"
Manassas Park Police says they are investigating all possible circumstances. Investigators say Mamta Kafle Bhatt was last seen on July 31, but they don't have a description of the clothes she was wearing and haven't disclosed where she was last seen. Police also added that she did not own a car.
"It has been very difficult," Basnet said. "I am like very devastated and so sad. There has not been one day that I don't have a sleepless night."
The lack of details is posing challenges for the search groups led by her close friends. Organizers say they are considering expanding their search to wooded areas as soon as this week.