Missing 14-year-old reunited with her family in Sheepshead Bay

Public safety volunteers, a supportive community and the dedicated members of the Kovalevska family worked tirelessly to return Polina home.

Shniece Archer and Adolfo Carrion

Mar 28, 2024, 12:41 AM

Updated 164 days ago

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A 14-year-old was reunited with her family after going missing for nearly two weeks.
Public safety volunteers, a supportive community and the dedicated members of Polina Kovalevska's family worked tirelessly to return her home.
Earlier this month, Polina’s mother, Oleksandra Kovalevska, was posting flyers of her missing daughter around the neighborhood. Police say on March 11, Polina left her home and made her way down Avenue Y before going missing.
"She was confused, she was tired, want a break from everybody, but now she knows it's not a good choice,” said Oleksandra.
Shmira Public Safety is a huge part in how Polina was found – Jeff Sakkal, one of their volunteers, found Polina in Industry City.
"It's hard to get there. Big area, six million square-feet coverage, so it's pretty challenging to rescue, we had members from mornings to nights scouting the whole area,” said Sakkal. “She was tired, she was not well, she was dehydrated she was afraid, so it was a very satisfying moment to know that we were able to reunite them together."