Global response to Greek appeal for help in identifying little girl found in Gypsy settlement

In this undated photo released by charity ''The Smile of the Child'' shows a four-year-old girl at an unknown location. Greek authorities on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 have requested international assistance to identify the four-year-old girl found living in a Gypsy camp with a couple arrested and charged with abducting her from her birth parents. A police statement says the child was located Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2013 near the town of Farsala, central Greece, during a nationwide crackdown on illegal activities in Gypsy camps. (AP Photo/The Smile of the Child) (The Associated Press)

In this undated photo released by Greek Police shows a four-year-old girl at an unknown location. Greek authorities on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 have requested international assistance to identify the four-year-old girl found living in a Gypsy camp with a couple arrested and charged with abducting her from her birth parents. A police statement says the child was located Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2013 near the town of Farsala, central Greece, during a nationwide crackdown on illegal activities in Gypsy camps. (AP Photo/Greek Police) (The Associated Press)

ATHENS, Greece – A charity says thousands have answered a Greek appeal for help identifying a girl allegedly abducted and raised by a Roma couple.

The "Smile of the Child" charity, which is caring for the child, says it received over 8,000 phone calls and thousands of emails. They include people from the U.S., Scandinavia, Australia, South Africa and other places.

Spokesman Panayiotis Pardalis told The Associated Press on Monday that "you can imagine the huge number of tips we're getting." He says relatively few had specific details, and have been forwarded to police.

The appeal follows the discovery last week of the blond, blue-eyed girl, believed to be about four.

A 39-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man have been charged — and deny — her abduction. They are appearing in court Monday.