Shocking twist: Missing baby’s siblings now blame father for her death!

Investigators in Sivas are pursuing a new line of inquiry after the siblings of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, who has been missing for 23 days, provided fresh testimony alleging that their father, Yusuf Balıkçı, caused the infant’s death during an act of domestic violence. The children stated that Büşra fell and died after their mother, Elif Balıkçı, was struck by Yusuf while holding the baby. This development coincides with emerging allegations that Yusuf had previously thrown another one of his children from a second-floor balcony.

New Testimony From Protected Children

The four other children of the couple, currently under state protection at the Sivas 4 Eylül Children’s Home, were interviewed again with the assistance of experts and sociologists. Their revised accounts suggest that on the night of September 10, Yusuf attacked Elif, causing her to collapse onto the ground while clutching Büşra. The children claimed the impact resulted in fatal injuries to the infant. Based on these statements, authorities suspect the body may have been left in open terrain where wild animals are frequently sighted.

Prior to this shift in narrative, the children had identified a man known as "Mehmet in the Blue Sweater" as having taken Büşra away in a car bound for Diyarbakır. Acting on this tip, police detained Mehmet K., but he was released under judicial control after no link could be established through his phone records (HTS). He denied all accusations.

Arrests and Legal Charges

Yusuf Balıkçı, 41, and Elif Balıkçı, 27, remain in custody facing charges of intentionally killing a descendant. Four relatives—Rahime Budak, Özcan Budak, Mehmet Resul Balıkçı, and Mihtad Balıkçı—were also jailed on counts related to destroying evidence, concealing crimes, or harboring criminals. The family had arrived in the İncidere Plateau of Göndüren village in Divriği district from Diyarbakır for seasonal livestock farming when they reported Büşra missing from their tent.

Elif initially told investigators that she sold the baby to cover her husband’s debts before changing her statement to accuse him of murder and abandoning the corpse on rocky land. As the investigation deepens into Yusuf’s history, reports from Diyarbakır indicate a pattern of violence against his wife and children, including the alleged balcony incident involving another offspring.

Ongoing Search Operations

Search teams comprising commando units, gendarmerie, AFAD, and UMKE personnel continue to scour the plateau without interruption. Despite difficult terrain conditions, crews are utilizing AI-supported drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cadaver dogs to locate any trace of the infant. Microscopic biological findings from clothing recovered at the scene have been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute, with results pending.

Authorities plan to conduct cross-examinations with the six detained suspects, including the parents and their relatives, to reconcile the conflicting testimonies. The case remains under multi-dimensional investigation as the search for Büşra enters its fourth week.