British girl Pearl Rose Gavaghan Da Massa maybe in Toronto

Greater Manchester Police in England and the Toronto Police Service are appealing for the public’s assistance locating a six-year-old girl, after a new sighting in Toronto.

Pearl Rose Gavaghan Da Massa, 6, was removed from England on December 9, 2008, by her mother, Helen Gavaghan, 33, without consent.

Pearl’s father, Hollywood Henry Da Massa, and mother have a joint custody order and shared residence order. All three are from Manchester, England.

It is alleged that:

– Helen Gavaghan withdrew a large amount of cash, changed her name by deed poll, and obtained a passport in the new name of Meta International,

– Helen flew to Cancun, Mexico, on December 9, 2008, under her new identity with Pearl,

– they stayed at various places in Mexico and crossed into Texas, on December 30, 2008.

The English High Court has deemed Pearl’s removal from England was unlawful.

Pearl was due to start primary school in January 2009 and was subject to a hospital referral.

It is further alleged that:

– in February 2010, it was discovered that Helen had been living in Toronto for about 12 months, under the name of Dana Flaherty, and Pearl under the name Belle Flaherty.

– they had been staying at an address in the Parkdale area, that Helen offered child care services and was involved in home-schooling groups,

– Toronto police officers went to that address but Helen and Pearl had left.

There has been a more recent sighting of Pearl in the same area, from early July 2010, and it is believed that Helen and Pearl have remained in the same area of Toronto. They may have since begun to travel again.

Helen is described as 5’5”, with a very thin build. She has green/brown eyes and had long black hair, which may now be dyed and/or cut short. She has a prominent angular nose and wide ears.

Pearl is described as 3’7”, although she has probably grown in the past 18 months. She was of normal build with green/brown eyes. She was last seen with light-brown, shoulder-length hair.