Grace Hughes missing: Girl is being ‘actively hidden’ Northern Territory Police claim
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Girl, five, who vanished with her mum is being ‘actively hidden’ cops claim as detectives charge woman, 50, over her disappearance
- Laura Hinks was on parental visit with her daughter Grace Hughes on Sunday
- Police arrested a woman, 50, who is allegedly refusing to speak to NT police
- The woman has been charged with attempt to abduct and abducting a child
- Police believe there is ‘some effort’ being put into keeping Grace concealed
- Whether the mother and daughter have crossed state lines will be investigated
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Police fear five-year-old Grace Hughes is being ‘actively’ hidden from authorities after no trace of the little girl has been found in over a week – as they warn the effects of her alleged kidnapping will be ‘detrimental’.
Grace Hughes and her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt, were last seen in the suburb of Berrimah, in Darwin’s east, on August 9.
Northern Territory Police said it was after a supervised parental visit that Ms Hinks, 34, left an address about 1pm at Hidden Valley Road, and both vanished.
Police have appealed to individuals they believe are actively concealing Grace as a 50-year-old woman is charged over her involvement in the disappearance.
Grace Hughes and her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt, were last seen in the suburb of Berrimah in Darwin’s east in the afternoon of Sunday, August 9
Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said ‘some effort’ was being put into keeping Grace hidden and asked those with information to come forward
Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said ‘some effort’ was being put into keeping Grace hidden and asked those with information to come forward.
‘We know that there will be people in the community that can assist us, they will know where Grace us and they’ll be able to help us,’ Ms Engels 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.’
Supt 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.
She said every resource was being used with police investigating all lines of inquiry – including that the pair may have travelled interstate.
‘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,’ she said.
‘It is likely to have a detrimental effect on her mental and psychological wellbeing.’
Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels (pictured) said ‘some effort’ was being put into keeping Grace hidden and asked those with information to come forward
Ms Hinks’ last known address was in Moulden, but she no longer appeared to be living there.
Northern Territory Police announced on Saturday they had charged a 50-year-old woman in connection with Grace’s disappearance.
The woman was arrested at a home in Anula in Darwin’s northeast overnight and was charged with abducting a child under 16 and attempting to abduct a child under 16.
She was remanded in custody and will face court on Monday.
The woman was refusing to provide information to find the girl and her mother, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jon Beer said.
‘Police will use all resources necessary to locate Grace,’ he said.
Police have said every resource is being used to try and locate Grace (pictured) who has now been missing for over a week – with police to investigate if the pair have travelled interstate
‘Ms Hinks’ last known address was in Moulden (at nearby Palmerston), but she no longer appears to be living there.’
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.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.