Police hunt for missing girl after court no-show | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Police hunt for missing girl after court no-show
Esther Wolthers
By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua
The mother of a missing Rotorua girl has to front up to the High Court at Rotorua by 12pm today or she will be arrested.
Mary Antoinette (also known as Mariana) Wolthers is believed to be in hiding with her daughter Esther, 10.
Esther went missing from a Bay of Plenty Child Youth and Family caregiver's home more than three weeks ago.
In a rare move Justice Paul Heath allowed the Daily Post to publish names of the mother and daughter, saying it may help find them.
Justice Heath said there may not be any concerns for Esther's physical safety, but he had "substantial concerns" for her psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Ms Wolthers was summoned to appear in the High Court yesterday after she failed to tell a Family Court judge last week where Esther was.
Esther jumped out of the window of her caregiver's home on July 23 following an argument and has not been seen since.
Police are searching for Ms Wolthers.
Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy of the Rotorua police said one of his staff was told by Ms Wolther's Tauranga workmate that Esther was safe -"a lot safer than she had ever been with CYF". The workmate also said: "If you know where Esther is, it's too late she's gone".
Before last week's Family Court appearance Ms Wolthers had been instructed to not tell the court where her daughter was.
Justice Heath said if Ms Wolthers had concerns about treatment by CYF, they could be addressed at another hearing.
"It's not for the mother to take the law into her own hands."
Justice Heath suppressed the reasons why Esther is in CYF care.
He said Ms Wolthers would have been aware she was due in court yesterday.
An arrest warrant will be issued if she does not give herself today.
The mother of a missing Rotorua girl has to front up to the High Court at Rotorua by 12pm today or she will be arrested.
Mary Antoinette (also known as Mariana) Wolthers is believed to be in hiding with her daughter Esther, 10.
Esther went missing from a Bay of Plenty Child Youth and Family caregiver's home more than three weeks ago.
In a rare move Justice Paul Heath allowed the Daily Post to publish names of the mother and daughter, saying it may help find them.
Justice Heath said there may not be any concerns for Esther's physical safety, but he had "substantial concerns" for her psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Ms Wolthers was summoned to appear in the High Court yesterday after she failed to tell a Family Court judge last week where Esther was.
Esther jumped out of the window of her caregiver's home on July 23 following an argument and has not been seen since.
Police are searching for Ms Wolthers.
Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy of the Rotorua police said one of his staff was told by Ms Wolther's Tauranga workmate that Esther was safe -"a lot safer than she had ever been with CYF". The workmate also said: "If you know where Esther is, it's too late she's gone".
Before last week's Family Court appearance Ms Wolthers had been instructed to not tell the court where her daughter was.
Justice Heath said if Ms Wolthers had concerns about treatment by CYF, they could be addressed at another hearing.
"It's not for the mother to take the law into her own hands."
Justice Heath suppressed the reasons why Esther is in CYF care.
He said Ms Wolthers would have been aware she was due in court yesterday.
An arrest warrant will be issued if she does not give herself today.
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