An urgent search is underway for a woman who has gone missing with her “vulnerable” newborn baby and toddler.
Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a Family Assessment Centre in north-west London with her three-year-old daughter and baby boy at about 7.40pm on Tuesday (September 19).
The children are under care orders and according to the Metropolitan Police should not have been removed from centre in Colindale, which provides 24-hour social care support for “vulnerable” mums and children.
Jamie-Leigh left the centre with her children against the wishes of staff, who were unable to prevent her from putting the kids into a blue Ford Fiesta which then sped off.
CCTV enquiries led police to believe the driver was a woman, who has yet to be identified. An image of the car, which has yet to be found, has also been released by police.
Jamie-Leigh has links to Thurrock, Essex, and most recently to Havering in east London, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Det Supt Lewis Basford said: “We are extremely concerned about the welfare of Jamie-Leigh and her children, one of whom is less than one-month-old.”
Addressing the missing mum direclty, he added: “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.
“The baby may need medical care as he is new-born, so please put him first and contact us on 020 7175 0793.”
Det Supt Basford explained a team of detectives is carrying out extensive lines of enquiry with Essex Police, and both Thurrock and Havering local authorities have been extremely supportive as efforts continue to find the family.
He said: “We believe Jamie-Leigh is being 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.”
A man in his 50s was arrested on Wednesday (September 20) in connection with the investigation on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy to kidnap. He remains in custody in Essex.
The police has said there is nothing to suggest the children have been harmed, but detectives are “extremely concerned” about their welfare.
Jamie-Leigh is described by police as white with green eyes, of slim build and 5ft 4ins tall. She was wearing a white jumper or long sleeved t-shirt, white jogging style trousers and white trainers.
Please contact the Met Police incident room on 020 7175 0793 with information or call 999 immediately with live sightings.
