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Months before the disappearance of Manassas Park mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, Prince William County prosecutors revealed she had made alarming allegations of domestic violence against her husband, Naresh Bhatt. During a recent bond hearing, it was disclosed that in February, Mamta, a 28-year-old nurse, told police that her husband had refused to return her documents, including her passport, and had destroyed her phone.
Friends and colleagues recall this period as particularly distressing for Mamta. Some noticed bruises on her and reported that she had sought their help in dealing with marital problems with Naresh Bhatt, 37. Holly Wirth, a concerned community member, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Mamta was being abused. Mamta cried for help. Mamta was hurt in a significant way by Naresh Bhatt.”
Currently, Naresh Bhatt faces a charge of concealing a dead body but has not been charged with domestic violence or any other violent crime. His bond was denied in court.
The case has sparked concern among the Prince William County community, particularly regarding domestic abuse. During a Manassas Park City meeting, a local man described Mamta’s case as a “painful reminder” of the urgent need for better protection for those at risk of domestic violence.
Mamta’s friend and former roommate, who has been leading community search efforts, expressed frustration during the meeting, stating, “Unfortunately, she was not aware of the resources available to her. If she had been more aware, if that was presented to her, things might be different.”
Stan Jones, CEO of ACTION in Community Through Services (ACTS), acknowledged the case’s significance, saying, “The case of Mamta Kafle Bhatt has indeed highlighted the critical need for accessible resources for individuals facing domestic violence. At ACTS, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to those in our community experiencing such crises.”
Elisa Castillo, who leads domestic violence services for ACTS, shared that when she first learned of Mamta’s situation, she immediately called an emergency meeting with her staff. Despite a thorough review of their records, they found no evidence that Mamta had ever reached out to their organization. “I wish she would have reached out, but she never did,” Castillo said, reflecting on the missed opportunity to help.
Castillo, with 19 years of experience in the field, noted that many people experiencing domestic violence often struggle to recognize it. She explained, “Once my specialist sits with them, they find out there is abuse in the home, daycare issues, they are about to be evicted, there’s so much going on. They don’t just come with one problem, but they come with multiple problems.”
Jones emphasized that ACTS is the only nonprofit in the area offering a wide range of services across Prince William County, the City of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Dumfries.
Castillo advised those looking to support someone experiencing domestic violence to initiate a conversation: “Talk to that person, talk to that survivor, and say hey, there is help, it doesn’t hurt to make that phone call.”
For those in need, ACTS offers a 24-hour hotline for domestic abuse at (703) 221-4925. For help outside of Prince William County, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at (800) 799-7233.
