Custody battle in case of missing boy

The 6-year-old boy who went missing from a public library on Friday may have been caught up in a custody battle.

Hamilton police are anxious to trace the boy's mother after grainy security camera footage showed the child leaving with a woman.

Police spoke to people through the night on Friday and said they were confident of finding the boy, named Jayden, who they believe was taken in a domestic dispute.

He was last seen at the library about 6pm, and is described as Caucasian and tall for his age with close-cropped blond hair. He was wearing a long-sleeved red and blue T-shirt and navy blue trousers.

Jayden was taken from the first floor of the central city Garden Place library. He was at the library with his father's sister. Police were called to search surrounding streets. As concern for his welfare grew, extra detectives were called in yesterday.

It is understood Jayden's parents were involved in a custody battle and police want to speak with the child's mother. The father has full custody.

Members of the public yesterday volunteered to join the search.

Senior Sergeant Graham Shields, of Hamilton Police, said the CCTV footage at the library was too fuzzy to clearly show who took Jayden.

Last night Hamilton City Council defended the library's surveillance. Spokesman Philip Burton said the abduction was an isolated event.