Darwin woman charged over alleged kidnapping of missing 5yo Grace Hughes

A 50-year-old woman has been charged with child abduction over the disappearance of five-year-old Darwin girl Grace Hughes.

A WOMAN has been arrested for the alleged kidnapping of a five-year-old girl from Darwin.

NT Police have confirmed a 50-year-old woman has been charged with child abduction amid the ongoing search for five-year-old Grace Hughes.

Police said Grace was taken from an address at Hidden Valley Rd, Berrimah at 1pm on Sunday, August 7 and has not been seen since.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jon Beer said ongoing police activities resulted in the arrest of the 50-year-old woman at a residence in Anula overnight on Friday.

The NT News understands the woman was brought to Palmerston watch house on Friday.

She is alleged to have assisted in the abduction of the five-year-old but is not Grace’s mother, 34-year-old Laura Hinks, aka Laura Bolt.

The 50-year-old was charged with one count of abducting a child under 16 and attempted abduction of another child under 16.

Laura Hinks, 34, and her five-year-old daughter Grace Hughes have been missing since August 7. Picture: Supplied/NTPFES

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

Sgt Beer said police would allege the 50-year-old was refusing to provide information that may help locate the girl and her mother.

Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said the mother and child had not been seen in a week, with investigators saying others were actively working to prevent them being found.

“We know some effort is being put in to hide Grace,” Supt. Engels said.

She said police were urgently seeking information to find both the 34-year-old and her child, with their main concern Grace’s wellbeing.

“We are throwing every police resource we have into this investigation, and we will continue to do so until we find Grace,” Supt Engels said.

“That would be very frightening for a five-year-old child … this would have been a very traumatic event, being removed from this meeting and separated from her siblings.

Laura Hinks, 34, and her five-year-old daughter Grace Hughes have been missing since Sunday. Picture: Supplied/NTPFES

“She needs to be returned so she can go to school and be with her friends.

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

Grace is described as having a fair complexion, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white dress, white socks and black sneakers.

Ms Hinks is described as having a slim build with a fair complexion and dark hair and dark eyes.

She was last seen wearing a white and green floral-patterned, ankle-length dress or skirt with a white/cream long-sleeved shirt over the top.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact NT Police immediately on 131 444, quoting reference number 10082521.