Sisters disappeared in Aquilano: A bracelet of the youngest was found on a path near the family home

In the early hours of June 6–7, two young girls, Alisya Di Giacinto, aged 16, and her younger sister Sarah, aged 12, disappeared from the "Ofh Hope" family home in Civitella Alfedena, province of Aquila. The disappearance has sparked widespread concern and extensive searches across the region. Eleven days after their vanishing, investigators have uncovered new clues that could shift the focus of the search. A red hair clip with small white flowers was found on a path near the family home, which officials believe belongs to Sarah. This discovery has reignited efforts to locate the missing siblings, with aerial surveillance, drones, and canine units now being deployed in the nearby natural reserve known as La Camosciara within the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise.

The two girls had been living at the "Ofh Hope" facility for several years following a difficult parental separation. They were reunited in this particular structure just one year prior to their disappearance, having spent two years apart. During their time at the family home, both parents lost custody rights due to conflicts arising from their divorce. However, at the end of May, the Juvenile Court in Cassino restored custody solely to the father, Stefano Di Giacinto. He confirmed to investigators that his daughter often wore hair clips similar to the one discovered on the trail.

Since their disappearance, multiple investigations have taken place. Carabinieri from the Castel di Sangro company conducted several inspections of the family home, particularly focusing on the bedrooms where the girls lived. These rooms were placed under seal three days after the disappearance but yielded no results. Searches also took place at the homes of the parents and maternal grandparents without success. Previous reports indicate that there have been at least five instances of minors leaving the facility in the past, although it is not a penal institution and residents are not confined to their rooms. Nevertheless, given the age of the girls, supervision is required, prompting Stefano Di Giacinto to file complaints against the staff managing the facility.

Over the course of eleven days, numerous theories about the disappearance have emerged. One theory suggested that the girls might have gone to visit a relative, but this claim lacks confirmation. Investigators are reviewing footage from the town's surveillance cameras and neighboring areas, noting approximately 300 vehicle movements during the time of the disappearance. This has led authorities to consider the possibility of an external accomplice who helped the girls escape. Additionally, the girls left behind their cell phones in their room, though some testimonies suggest they might have taken a third device with them.

Further supporting the hypothesis of a planned departure, investigators found coded notes in the girls' room that were seized by the police. These messages appear to contain references to locations, times, or agreements made before the disappearance. Deciphering these notes could provide crucial insight into how the girls communicated with someone outside the facility and how their escape was organized. If this theory is confirmed, it would strongly suggest that the escape was meticulously planned rather than spontaneous.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues with the opening of two separate cases by the Sulmona Prosecutor’s Office—one for the abduction of minors against unknown individuals and another for neglect involving the head of the facility. Stefano Di Giacinto filed the complaint, assisted by attorney Francesco Ricciardi, criticizing the delayed response from the facility and the lack of alarms or surveillance systems. The president of OfH, Maurizio Volpini, responded by asserting that the organization always maintained seriousness and proper management, stating that they will defend themselves in appropriate legal venues.

The mother, Valentina D’Acunto, remains deeply affected by the situation, expressing hope while struggling emotionally. She has written letters to her daughters, urging them to contact her, emphasizing that she is not angry and believes everything can be resolved together. Her lawyer, Enrico Mastantuono, noted that the girls had consistently refused to meet with the father, hoping instead to reunite with their mother. This dynamic adds complexity to the ongoing investigation, highlighting the emotional and familial tensions surrounding the case. As the search continues, the community and authorities remain hopeful that new leads will emerge to help locate the missing sisters.