SAN ANTONIO — The father of missing girl Lina Sardar Khil took part in a polygraph on Tuesday in an attempt to clear his name, although police have not named any suspects.
Lina vanished from her northwest side apartment complex on December 20, 2021.
In February, community members gathered alongside Riaz to observe Lina's fifth birthday where an age-progression sketch was unveiled.
Lina’s father Riaz Sardar Khil said he received a text from a detective he would be taking the polygraph test on Tuesday, but the text didn’t include a time or address.
Founder of Eagles Flight Advocacy & Outreach Pamela Allen confirmed with KENS 5 the polygraph was taking place Tuesday with San Antonio police.
There's no word on whether Riaz's wife will take part in a polygraph as well. But Riaz has not ruled out the possibility if it means erasing suspicion by some in the community that they had something to do with Lina's disappearance.
“He didn’t want to put his wife through something like that because with all of this case, it has taken a toll on her emotionally, but with the understanding that if it will clear them, he will absolutely let his wife take that polygraph," Allen said. “He just wants this investigation to continue, for law enforcement not to forget about his child and that one day he will be able to get the phone call that they have found her.”
San Antonio-based attorney Joeseph Hoelscher noted polygraph results will rarely see the light of day in court. He adds cultural behaviors and cultural behaviors can affect polygraph test results.
“The test results, the deceptiveness score result, is not admissible in court unless everybody agrees to admit it, however the pre-interview questions are admissible, so if somebody were to lie during the pre-interview, that could be used against them," Hoelscher said.
Last week, Riaz expressed disappointment with SAPD.
He says there is no communication from SAPD about what they’re doing.
In a statement from police, they said their detectives have been in communication with Lina’s family, and have responded whenever they reach out.
They said their detectives have been working the case diligently and have been following up on any new leads.
Riaz hasn’t given up hope on finding his daughter.
A year after Lina’s disappearance, he told KENS 5 he’s been forthcoming with the investigation.
"Initially when they had the questions for him it was easy to answer because you know...because he wasn't to be blame or he wasn't the suspect."
Chief McManus said, "we have to eliminate any potential suspects."
We will be reaching out to San Antonio Police for more information about the polygraph test later Tuesday.
If you know anything about this case, or know where Lina might be, call SAPD Special Victims Unit at (210) 207-2313.
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