Missing Virginia woman’s 1-year-old baby reunited with family from Nepal, lawyer says

MANASSAS PARK, Va. (WJLA) — The mother and brother of missing Virginia woman Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, arrived from Nepal after getting an emergency visa and were reunited with Bhatt’s 1-year-old daughter, according to the family’s immigration lawyer.

Bhatt has not been seen since last month, with police saying she is presumed dead. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, who is also the baby’s father, was arrested and charged with prohibition against concealment of a dead body in connection to the case.

Naresh Bhatt’s mugshot after his arrest in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt in Manassas Park, Virginia. (Courtesy Prince William County Adult Detention Center)

Immigration attorney Bandita Sharma Dahal told WJLA she immediately got to work to speed up the visa process so Bhatt’s mother and brother could come to the U.S. from Nepal to help take care of the baby.

Dahal said Bhatt’s family members arrived Tuesday and provided the following statement:

We would like to let everyone know that Mamta’s mom and brother has been reunited with Mini Mamta. We request community and media to give them privacy. They will speak up when they feel comfortable. We will not be disclosing their location at this time. They are dealing with unimaginable pain so please be kind to them.

Dahal said one of Bhatt’s friends still has custody of the baby at the moment. One of Mamta’s friends has set up a GoFundMe for the child.

Naresh Bhatt is due back in court Thursday morning.

Prosecutors have painted a gruesome picture of pools of blood that had been cleaned up in the couple’s master bedroom and bathroom. Naresh’s public defender is arguing prosecutors don’t even know yet where Mamta is or whether the blood in the home is hers.

Police have conducted several searches for Mamta and continue to search for her, according to Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo.

“We are following up on tips we receive and continue to investigate this case,” Lugo told WJLA in an email Tuesday.

Holly Giehler, who lives in the neighborhood, said the case is shocking.

“I never thought this would happen here,” said Giehler. “I know that’s cliché but I never thought it would happen here. And I walk by here all the time — never imagined what was going on.”