MANASSAS PARK, Va. (DC News Now) — Police conducted more search warrants at the home of missing Manassas Park mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, on Tuesday.
Authorities arrested Mamta’s husband, 37-year-old Naresh Bhatt, on Thursday, Aug. 22, and charged him with concealment of a dead body. This came after the Manassas Park Police Department (MPPD) executed numerous search warrants at the couple’s home for more than eight hours.
Mamta, 28, was last seen on July 27.
A Prince William County judge then denied bond to Naresh on Monday, Aug. 26. The court ruled that he was a flight risk and a danger to the community following arguments from the prosecution and defense.
In the courtroom, the defense argued that there was no probable cause in the case since the Mamta had not been found.
A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, photos and stuffed animals outside the Bhatt’s home is growing as an impassioned Manassas Park community continues to demand justice for the missing mother.
Manassas Park police Chief Mario Lugo said officers remain focused on finding her and are ramping up their search.
Lugo told DC News Now that officers executed the search warrant on Tuesday to look for additional evidence.
He couldn’t say precisely what officers were looking for but that the department accomplished what they were aiming to.
“The house is not the main place [we are looking]. We are looking everywhere, we are following up all tips, leads that we get, information we get from records. We are expanding. We have always expanded, but it is expanding as we continue on in the investigation,” said Lugo.
Lugo said police hope to get Naresh on additional charges.
He is due back in court for a motion hearing on Thursday, Aug. 29.
