Search for toddler Hoang Vinh Le after parents claim they gave him away

Police and the Family Court have fears for the safety of a baby boy whose parents claim to have gave him to a woman along with $200 in a Sydney shop.

Police and the Family Court have fears for the safety of a baby boy whose parents claim to have handed him to a woman in a Sydney convenience store.

Parents Lyn Kim Do, 21, and Hoang Thanh Le, 28, have already spent time in jail for contempt of court after ­refusing to reveal the whereabouts of their 17-month-old son Hoang Vinh Le.

Hoang Vinh Le.

Lyn Kim Do and her husband Hoang Thanh Le with baby Hoang Vinh Le.

Ms Do initially told the court she gave him to an ­“associate”, Kathy Nguyen, on May 19 at a convenience store on Hill St in Cabramatta along with $200 to care for him for one night.

He has not been seen since April and police say there is no trace of the “Kathy Nguyen” to whom the parents claim to have given him.

The Australian Federal Police and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia have taken the rare decision to publicise the case as they launch a nationwide appeal to find baby Vinh.

The parents are from Western Sydney, and police believe the baby may have been in Cabramatta, Bankstown Liverpool, West Wyalong, Tem­ora and Wagga Wagga.

The mother has again been charged with contempt by Justice Shane Gill, but she has not entered a plea. The case was adjourned on Wednesday.

Vinh’s father Hoang Thanh Le.

Police are desperate to find toddler Vinh.

“The parents have not provided sufficient details to ­enable the police to identify the person who they say is caring for Vinh,” a joint court and police statement said.

“Authorities have not been able to confirm whether the person who may be caring for the child is known by the name ‘Kathy Nguyen’ or ­exists at all.

“Vinh’s location and the identity of the person who is with him are currently unknown, and authorities are concerned for his welfare.”

The Daily Telegraph has been given permission to reveal that Vinh was born on July 21 last year.

He was last seen at a medical practice in the Canberra suburb of O’Connor on April 9, when he was reportedly put into a Silver Isuzo MU-X with the NSW registration CF72YI.

On April 19, the court made orders that Vinh be ­returned to live with his ­maternal grandmother.

Vinh was last seen in Canberra …

… police are appealing for information.

In August, Ms Do swore an affidavit in which she said she had left Vinh with his godmother because she could not give him the care he needed and she did not want him to live with her mother.

Ms Do said in her affidavit: “I’m willing to let her (the godmother) raise the child and not go looking for him for as long as my mother continues to pursue his custody.

“I plead to the court to please be fair to me, a young mother who misses her child … Please return me the rights to look after my own flesh and blood,” she said.

“I only want a safe, happy and clean environment for my son to grow up. That place is certainly not with my mother, hence I had to make this decision.”

Anyone who has seen or may have information regarding the whereabouts of the child are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting AFP reference 6365180.