Two children found but mum still missing in child abduction case

Two children who were reported missing along with their mother earlier this week have been found.

Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in north west London on Tuesday with her three-year-old daughter and newborn baby son.

The two children have now been found at an address in Harwich in Essex – but their mother was not with them.

They were both taken into police protection and were taken to hospital as a precaution.

A 63-year-old woman was arrested at the house in Harwich on Sunday on suspicion of child abduction, assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

She is still in custody at an east London police station.

Two other people – Ashley Hawkins, 52, of Alex Guy Gardens, Dagenham, and Jordan Hardy, 30, of Connor Road, Dagenham, were charged with two counts of child abduction earlier this week.

They’re due to appear at Southend magistrates court in Essex on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police is now calling for Ms Kelly to contact them.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said: ‘We are very pleased, and of course relieved, to have found the two children after extensive enquiries over the past few days.

‘They are safe and well and receiving precautionary medical attention.

‘Jamie-Leigh was not present and our work to locate her continues.

‘I urge anyone who may have helped facilitate the movement of the children, or who may be assisting Jamie-Leigh with transport or accommodation, to come forward to police now.

‘Jamie-Leigh, I continue my direct appeal to you to contact us.

‘We are asking you to please pick up the phone and have a conversation with us so we can meet with you.

‘Please contact us on 020 7175 0793 or go to a police station as quickly as possible.’

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