Man arrested for suspected child abduction as police hunt missing mother and children

A man has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction after a hunt was launched for a missing mother and two children.

The Metropolitan Police said Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in Colindale, north-west London, with her three-year-old daughter and newborn boy on Tuesday.

The force said that the children are under care protection orders and were removed from the family assessment centre against the wishes of staff.

Ms Kelly, who has links to Thurrock in Essex and Havering, north east London, then got into a blue Ford Fiesta with the children and drove away at speed.

On Wednesday, a man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the investigation, on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy to kidnap. He remains in custody in Essex.

Ms Kelly is described as white with green eyes, of slim build and about 5ft 4ins tall. She was wearing a white jumper or long-sleeved T-shirt, white jogging trousers and white trainers.

‘Extremely concerned’

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who leads the Met’s Public Protection command in East London, said the force was “extremely concerned” for the welfare of Ms Kelly and her children.

He said: “Jamie-Leigh, I am making a direct appeal to you to contact us so we can ensure the children are safe and well.

“We know you have no intention for the children to come to harm, so we are asking you to please pick up the phone and have a conversation with us so we can meet with you.

He added: “The baby may need medical care as he is newborn, so please put him first and contact us on 020 7175 0793.”

Mr Basford said they believe Ms Kelly is being assisted and urged anyone with information to call the incident room on 020 7175 0793 or call 999 immediately with live sightings.

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