Captors urged to deliver girl to hospital

Aisling Symes

Whoever is holding Aisling Symes captive is being urged to deliver her to a hospital as police fears for her grow.

The 2-year-old girl hasn't been seen since she vanished from outside her deceased grandparents' house in Longburn Rd, Henderson, about 5.15pm on Monday.

The officer leading the inquiry, Inspector Gary Davey, said as every hour passed her family, friends and police became more distressed.

She could be returned to any safe place, preferably a hospital in the Auckland region, he said. "We would encourage the people who are holding Aisling to deliver her safely to a hospital in the area which they are keeping her."

On Thursday Mr Davey spoke of one person holding Aisling but yesterday spoke of more than one person being responsible. But a spokeswoman said it was just a choice of words.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police hotline 0800 4 AISLING, or 0800 4 2475464, or visit their local police station.

Mr Davey: "Our aim is to have Aisling returned safely to her family and we'd like that sooner rather than later. Please return her."

Police have heard nothing from an Asian woman seen walking a medium-sized black and grey dog on Longburn Rd and talking with the toddler just before she disappeared. The woman was in her 30s, about 165cm tall with medium build and long straight hair.

She was wearing a black crew-neck top, with three-quarter-length sleeves, three-quarter-length blue jeans, black leather sandals and black socks.

"Asian" could include Korean, Thai, Japanese, Indian or other ethnicities, Mr Davey said.