Odia girl’s cry for help from America: Odisha officials coordinate repatriation efforts

The Balasore district administration on Monday swung into action after an Odia girl, adopted by an American couple, alleged physical and mental abuse in the United States. The girl, identified as Pooja alias Sejal, made an emotional appeal on social media seeking help to return to Odisha.

In a tearful video message, Pooja claimed that her foster mother was subjecting her to severe mistreatment and pleaded with the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for help.

“It is my humble request, please take me back to Odisha. I am suffering a lot here. They are torturing me. I want to return to Odisha. Please help me,” she said in the viral video.

According to official sources, Pooja was adopted by an American couple in 2018 and has been living in the US since then. Following her allegations, the Balasore district administration has contacted both state and central adoption authorities to verify details and initiate repatriation procedures.

Also Read: Odia girl adopted by American couple alleges ill-treatment, pleads to return to Odisha

District Collector of Balasore confirmed that the case is being handled with utmost priority.

“An American couple had adopted her. The girl is also in America. The only communication mode is that we have received a video message through her Facebook. After seeing the message, we are trying to establish contact with her through her friends. She is an adoption matter, so we have narrated her ordeal to CARA and SARA, state-level and central-level adoption agencies. They are also aware of it,” informed the Collector.

“Since this is a matter of adoption, and that to be in a different country, we are in touch with both state and national adoption agencies. As the incident occurred abroad, we are also coordinating with foreign authorities to bring her back,” the Collector said.

So far, officials have not been able to establish direct contact with the girl. However, efforts are underway to ensure her safety and facilitate her return to Odisha at the earliest. The incident has triggered widespread concern among social activists and citizens, who have urged immediate government intervention.