Grace Hughes abduction: Woman charged over missing five-year-old girl

Police say a five-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped by her biological mother a week ago is being “hidden” from authorities.

Police allege five-year-old girl who was abducted by her biological mother more than a week ago is actively being hidden from authorities.

Grace Hughes was last seen with her mother Laura Hinks (who also goes by Laura Bolt) in Berrimah, a suburb in Darwin’s east, in the Northern Territory on August 7 following a supervised parental visit from Ms Hinks.

Authorities allege the 34-year-old mother took the child from the Hidden Valley Rd address at about 1pm. Neither of them have been found since.

Laura Hinks and her daughter Grace Hughes have been missing since August, 7. Picture: Supplied/NTPFES

Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels pleaded with the public to come forward with information after she announced “some effort” was being put into hiding the child.

“We know that some effort is being put into hiding Grace, and that would be very frightening for a five-year-old child,” she said.

“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,”

“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.”

Police have fears for the child’s safety. Picture: Supplied

On Friday, a woman was charged after she allegedly refused to give information to police about the child and her mother’s whereabouts.

The 50-year-old woman was charged with one count of abducting a child under 16 and one count of attempting to abduct a child under 16.

She has been remanded in custody to face court on Monday.

In a desperate plea, Superintendent Engels said police were “throwing every resource” they had into finding both the mother and child, with their main concern being Grace’s wellbeing.

“This would have been a very traumatic event, being removed from this meeting and separated from her siblings.” she said.

“Whatever issues that are preventing her return should and could be dealt with in appropriate ways.”

Grace has been described as having brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a white dress and socks with black sneakers.

Her mother is described as having a slim build with dark hair and eyes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Grace Hughes abduction: Woman charged over missing five-year-old girl