A multi-agency taskforce has now been established in order to further intensify the ongoing search for missing five-year-old girl, Grace Hughes.
Northern Territory Police claim that a group peddling “ideologies and false information” abducted Grace last Sunday, and that she was allegedly taken without permission by her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt. The incident took place during a supervised visit in the Darwin suburb of Berrimah on August 7.
On Saturday August 13, another Darwin-based woman, 50-year-old Juliet Oldroyd, faced court and was charged with child abduction in relation to the disappearance of the young girl.
When she faced local court, she was represented by her husband and flanked by a group of supporters.
A special taskforce has now been set up to intensify search efforts, including the Australian Federal Police and other agencies.
In a statement, Northern Territory Police said : “The taskforce is committed to locating her and reuniting her with her lawful guardian”.
“NT Police will continue to target this group and any other persons assisting the ongoing harbouring of Grace.
“Police will use every power available to them to locate Grace. Anyone who is found to have harboured those who abducted Grace will face significant charges before the courts.”
Earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said ‘some effort’ was being put into keeping Grace hidden, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
‘We know that there will be people in the community that can assist us, they will know where Grace is and they’ll be able to help us,’ she said.
‘We’re asking you to do the right thing, reach out and call police and let us know what information you have, no matter how small.’
Engels said the five-year-old needed to be returned so she could go to school and be reunited with her friends.
‘Whatever issues that are preventing her return should and could be dealt with in appropriate ways, taking Grace in this matter is not appropriate,’ she said.
‘Our primary concern is the wellbeing and safety of Grace, knowing that this would be a very traumatic event being removed from this meeting and separated from her siblings.
‘It is likely to have a detrimental effect on her mental and psychological wellbeing.’
Grace is described as having a fair complexion with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white dress, as well as white socks and black sneakers. Her mother has a fair complexion, a slim build and dark hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a white and green floral-patterned ankle-length dress or skirt, with a white or cream long-sleeved shirt.
NT Police urge anyone with any knowledge of Grace’s abduction to come forward and contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Image: NT Police
