Vanishing maids mystery: Hong Kong families shocked helpers run away during travels
Domestic helpers who travel to Britain with their Hong Kong bosses disappear after they arrive in the country; UK police say it happens a lot
It was the first day of a summer holiday back in Britain, and the Hong Kong-based family had just arrived in picturesque Kent, about 30 minutes drive from London.
But hours later, Claire and her family were reeling at the shock disappearance of their domestic helper of five years, Isabel.
Their case is one of several the Sunday Morning Post investigated amid concerns that a small but growing number of domestic helpers have absconded while overseas with their employers. The names of families and helpers involved have been changed.
Few statistics are available to quantify the situation in Britain, the US and Canada, but families who have experienced it in Britain say police there report it is a common occurrence.
For Claire, the incident was a shock because Isabel, 40, from the Philippines, had been with the family for five years, playing a key role in helping to raise her baby daughter.
"We feel very betrayed," Claire said this week, about a month after Isabel's disappearance.