A 13-year-old girl named Lillia, from Bolton, went missing on Friday, September 11. She was found safe and well during a police patrol in the city center on Saturday evening, ending an eight-day search that captured the attention of the local community and authorities. Lillia had been seen traveling by bus across parts of Greater Manchester in the days before her disappearance. Surveillance footage showed her boarding the 247 bus at the Trafford Centre on Saturday, then entering a McDonald's on Market Street in Manchester City Centre at 8:20 pm on Sunday. Additional CCTV footage captured her getting on the number 36 bus from Salford around 10 am on Monday, September 14, and walking through Manchester Piccadilly bus station at 10:36 am the same day. Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley said that police officers had spotted someone who looked like Lillia during a proactive patrol and engaged with her before confirming her identity. She praised the public for their support, including submitting information through online portals, calling in tips, and sharing appeals on social media. Critchley also thanked the officers involved in locating Lillia and the team working behind the scenes on the investigation. She highlighted the important role the media played in spreading awareness, sharing images, and holding a press conference with Lillia’s mother. Critchley paid tribute to Lillia’s mother, Jessica, who had worked closely with police throughout the search. She commended Jessica for her strength during the difficult eight-day period. Earlier in the search, Jessica had made a heartfelt appeal to her daughter, saying, "Lill, I love you so so much. My heart is breaking without you here. I need to know you are safe. We all want you back home safe and well."