Husband of missing Nepali woman in Virginia taken away in handcuffs

VIRGINIA-The husband of a Northern Virginia woman who has been missing more than three weeks was taken out of their home in handcuffs on Thursday morning, News4 video shows.

Naresh Bhatt was walked out in handcuffs, with his hands behind his back, and walked to a police car. Manassas Park police did not immediately say why he was taken into custody or release information on any charges against him.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old nurse originally from Nepal, was last seen on July 31. She’s been the subject of a major search, as colleagues, friends and community members plead for answers and hope she’s safe.

She still had not been found as of Thursday afternoon.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth briefly spoke with reporters outside the family’s home on Thursday afternoon.

“Is she alive?” News4 asked.

“We don’t know. We don’t know. But we are working this investigation. We’re working carefully, and there’s just a lot of things moving very quickly right now,” Ashworth said. More information is expected later Thursday.

News4 video on Thursday morning showed officials take a young child out of the house with a blanket over the child’s head.

Police said in an update Kate Wednesday that Narwah Bhatt is a persona of interest in his wife’s disappearance wasn’t immediately clear if he has a lawyer.