Helen Gavaghan wanted by U.K and Toronto police for child abduction

England’s Greater Manchester Police and the Toronto Police Service are appealing once again for the public’s help in tracing a six-year-old girl after new information about her welfare has emerged.

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

A U.K. arrest warrant and extradition warrant has been issued for Helen Gavaghan.

Pearl is the subject of a shared residence order (joint custody order) between Helen and the father, Henry Da Massa. All three are from Manchester.

It is alleged that:

– Helen had withdrawn a large amount of cash, changed her name by deed poll and obtained a passport in the new name of Meta International.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 British High Court later deemed that Pearl’s removal from England was unlawful.

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

It is believed they had been staying at an address in the Parkdale area of Toronto. Helen offered childminding services and was involved in home-schooling groups.

Just before Toronto Police went to visit them, Helen and Pearl moved on again. However there has been a more recent sighting of Pearl, in the same area, from early July 2010.

Concerns grew recently after a healthcare professional came forward to offer new information about Pearl who, in September 2009, was showing signs of trauma, social isolation and continued upheaval.

Helen is described as 5’5" with a 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 last 18 months. She was of average build with green/brown eyes. She was last seen with light-brown shoulder-length hair.

Detective Inspector Colin Larkin, based at South Manchester CID, said: "It is two years since Pearl’s father and the rest of her family and friends have seen Pearl and I am increasingly concerned for her wellbeing because of this information from the Toronto healthcare professional. These concerns for Pearl are already more than a year old. Our aim is to make sure that Pearl is safe and well and is reunited with the rest of her family.