Dad opens up on twin girls’ trauma after dramatic disappearance

The father of two teens who were at the centre of a nationwide search when they were taken from their north Queensland primary school in broad daylight has spoken for the first time since their mother was jailed over her role in their disappearance.

The girls' mother was jailed for three years. Picture: NCA News Wire/Glenn Campbell

They were the little girls at the centre of a nationwide search.

Two Townsville twins – just seven years old – taken from their primary school in broad daylight in 2014, and hidden by their mother who went on the run for four years.

But today, those two little girls who captured the eyes of the country have almost become young women, defining their own dreams, aspirations and hopes for the future.

The girls’ father, who cannot legally be named, spoke to The Courier-Mail for the first time since their Queensland mother was sentenced last year to three years’ jail over her crimes.

“They are not the little kids that they were when they were in the eye of the media, they are young adults with a difficult history, just trying to make their way in the world,” he said.

The girls were taken by their mother from their Townsville primary school in 2014.

The main street of Camooweal where the girls moved with their mother before they headed to Western Australia. Picture: Erle Levey

Their mother, now 50, moved them across the country, travelling thousands of kilometres to Camooweal on the Queensland Northern Territory border, and then into Western Australia.

The girls were then moved to an area near Perth, and were later taken to Grafton in New South Wales.

She was involved in a group of people who helped mothers abduct their children.

This went on for four years, with the mother using fake names and going to lengths to conceal their identity.

But it all came undone in 2018 when the girls were finally located by police and returned to their dad.

Their mother was initially charged with child abduction offences and conspiracy to defeat justice, but the child stealing charges were dropped in 2021.

She went to trial last year on the remaining offence where she pleaded not guilty, but the mother eventually changed her plea to guilty in October, 2023.

She was sentenced to three years’ jail.

The girls’ dad said while the court ordeal was over, the impacts on the girls was ongoing.

“It’s having an impact more acutely on the kids now,” he said.

“What we want most is for them to have a normal relationship with their parents, and the sentencing has just highlighted the fact that they are never going to get that now.”

Despite what they’ve been through, the girls are healthy and well, looking forward to graduating and starting their adult lives.

One of the girls wants to be a police officer when she finishes school. The other likes the idea of geography. One loves sport and socialising, while the other loves gaming and reading.

“They’re typical teenagers just trying to find their way in the world,” their dad said.

“A lot of what they’re facing now is not unusual, not unexpected teenage-type challenges, moving on into other pathways.

“Things are certainly not over for them, but they are getting older and wiser.”