Father of missing Córdoba children arrested

Ruth, 6, and José, 2 (Europa Press)

CÓRDOBA (Agencies) The father of Ruth and José, the brother and sister who have been missing for ten days in Córdoba has been arrested. The National Police announced on Tuesday that they had arrested José Bretón who had claimed the children had vanished when he was walking with them in a local Cruz Conde park last Saturday. The police it seems, do not believe his story. Despite a widespread search which has included divers in the Guadalquivir River and searches in the father's family's homes, there has been no sign of the missing children. The father had collected them on the Friday, the day before their disappearance, from the mother who has been living in Huelva after the couple had decided to separate some 20 days previously. The mother denounced the father for physical abuse on the Sunday after they were reported missing.

The local investigation has been strengthened by the arrival of more scientific police and other agents from Madrid.