The Irish father of a two-year-old girl who went missing in New Zealand on Monday said today he and his wife are “barely existing” without their daughter.
Aisling Symes was with her parents, Alan and Angela, who were tidying up a property in the Auckland suburb of Henderson, when she disappeared about 5.30pm on Monday.
About 40 police are involved in the inquiry and have been tracking down known offenders and knocking on doors and as they hunt for whoever may have abducted Aisling.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Symes said: “These recent days have proven to be the most harrowing of our lives. [We’ve had] no sleep and we feel like we’re barely existing, [just] surviving every moment, not knowing where Aisling is.
“Is she near us, or has she been moved far away? Is she being treated well? Things like has her nappy been changed?”
Angela Symes was said to be too distraught to speak at the briefing. Mr Symes had his arm round her at all times. He pleaded for their daughter’s safe return. “Aisling is our two-year-old daughter, sister to Caitlin, a cousin and a beloved niece and granddaughter. We want her back. So please, if you have any information, any at all, please come forward,” he said.
As they were led out of the police briefing room, Ms Symes reportedly broke down in the hallway.
Auckland police inspector Gary Davey said he is still hopeful that Aisling is well and is being cared for.
Speaking directly to the person or persons who may have her he said: “To whoever may have Aisling out there, the sole focus of the police at the moment is to have Aisling returned safely ... We hope that you come forward and leave her in a safe place so that she can be found.”
Mr Davey told Radio New Zealand it is critical police find an Asian woman seen with Aisling about the time she went missing, whether or not she is involved in the disappearance. However, he cautioned people not to take the law into their own hands.
The woman police are seeking is thought to be about 35 years old, with dark shoulder-length hair. She was walking a black and grey dog at the time witnesses say they saw her.
Mr Davey said a woman who fitted the description was targeted by a group of people on Wednesday and has been left traumatised by their actions. He said people should contact police rather than make approaches themselves.
Auckland police have received a number of calls about sightings of Asian people with European children in the past few days.
Police cofronted an Asian couple with a young European child in a stroller this day afternoon, but it turned out the couple were baby-sitting the child for friends.
Police spent today visiting known sex offenders and “people of concern” living in the West Auckland area from where Aisling disappeared.
Her aunt, Aithne Potts, urged anyone with information to come forward or to drop Aisling off somewhere safe. “As long as she’s safe and well, we don’t give a damn [about who took her],” she said.
New Zealand’s prime minister John Key said: “Our hearts go out to the family. We are very concerned about her welfare and we hope for a speedy and successful return of the little girl.”
