Further arrest made in search for missing Essex mother and two children
Police remain 'extremely concerned' about the welfare of Jamie-Leigh and her children
Police have made another arrest as they try to locate a mother from Essex and her two children who are missing.
Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a Family Assessment Centre in north-west London on Tuesday (19 September) with her three-year-old daughter and new-born baby boy.
The children are under care orders, meaning they shouldn't have been removed from the centre which provides 24-hour social care support for vulnerable mothers and children.
At around 7:40pm, Jamie-Leigh left the address with the children against the will of staff who were unable to stop her. from putting the children into a blue Ford Fiesta which then drove away at speed. It is believed this was being driven by another woman.
Officers located the car and arrested a 30-year-old woman yesterday (22 September) on suspicion of child abduction. She remains in custody.
Jamie-Leigh has links to Thurrock in Essex and Havering, east London, which is why the Met Police are leading enquiries
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford who leads the Met’s Public Protection command in East Area, said:
“We are making significant progress in our investigation but we remain extremely concerned about the welfare of Jamie-Leigh and her children, one of whom is less than one-month-old.
“Jamie-Leigh, I continue my direct appeal to you to contact with 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. The baby may need medical care as he is new-born, so please put him first and contact us on 020 7175 0793.”
Detective Superintendent Basford added:
“We believe Jamie-Leigh continues to be assisted, and we ask anyone in Essex or London or further afield who may have information to call our incident room without delay, or dial 999 with any real time sightings. If you are helping Jamie-Leigh, it is not too late to do the right thing by the children and contact us.
“My thanks go to my team of detectives and our colleagues at Essex Police, as well as both Thurrock and Havering local authorities who have been extremely supportive, as we continue efforts to locate the family.”
On Wednesday (20 September) a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy to kidnap. He remains in custody in Essex after a warrant of further detention was granted by the court.
There is no indication that the children have been harmed, but detectives say they are extremely concerned about their welfare. The baby boy was only born in mid-September and is extremely vulnerable.
Jamie-Leigh Kelly is described as white with green eyes, of slim build and 5ft4ins tall. Police say she was wearing a white jumper or long sleeved t-shirt, white jogging style trousers and white trainers.