Alleged kidnapper remanded in custody

18-month-old Alyssa Barker who was allegedly abducted by Skye Mason. Photo / Dean Purcell

The woman accused of abducting toddler Alyssa Barker has been remanded in custody while her fitness to stand trial is assessed.

Skye Mason is alleged to have snatched the 17-month-old from her home north of Auckland and kept her for 36 hours before Alyssa was returned to her family.

The 27-year-old has been charged with abducting a person under 16, assaulting police and failing to provide identification or particulars.

She appeared with a new lawyer in the Waitakere District Court this afternoon, after her original counsel, Jo Wickliffe, said she "can't get instructions from her".

The new lawyer, Paul Gruar, requested the accused be remanded in custody for two weeks while a psychological report was prepared.

"My observation is that it might be an issue," he said.

Judge Clair Ryan granted this and also extended an interim order prohibiting in-court photography, video or audio recording due to the accused's potential mental health issues.

Mason, an acquaintance of Alyssa's parents, Scott and Sam Barker, was taken in by them after they found out she was sleeping on the streets.

She allegedly abducted Alyssa from her house near Kaukapakapa on Friday and took her to associates in west Auckland, sparking a massive police search.

Police said a woman from Swanson who watched the television news on Saturday night recognised Mason and Alyssa as the two people staying with her.

Mr and Mrs Barker told reporters they took Mason in because they wanted to help her.

"I don't know her or her history but from what I picked up when she was at the house, she wasn't too well, not quite right, but not to the extent [she would do] this sort of thing," Mr Barker said.

Now the parents want to know what happened while Alyssa was with Mason.

"There are things crossing our mind we want to know - peace-of-mind sort of things - but we haven't had the chance or opportunity to find out those things," Mr Barker said.

Alyssa seemed unaware of her ordeal and was her usual bubbly self, he said.