Dead baby call was a hoax, police confirm

1.00pm - by PAULA OLIVER

A 13-year-old Dargaville girl made the hoax telephone call to police that led to a massive search for kidnapped baby Kahu Durie this week.

Detective Inspector Stuart Wildon said today police last night spoke to the teenager, who admitted making a mystery call to the police hotline on Monday night.

The girl was found as a result of police work rather than information received. Police refused to comment further.

The call sparked a huge search in the Wellington suburb of Berhampore.

Detective Inspector Wildon said the suspect was "being dealt with accordingly".

Meanwhile, massive police resources are today being dedicated to the search for baby Kahu, one week after she was snatched from her mother at gunpoint in a Lower Hutt street.

Police said this morning they had still not heard from the kidnapper, but remained hopeful that they would.

They were also confident that eight-month-old Kahurautete Durie, daughter of prominent Maori lawyer Donna Hall and High Court judge Eddie Durie, was still alive.

"I believe it is significant that we have not heard in the last seven days of any evidence that might suggest she has been harmed," Detective Inspector Wildon said.

"I am therefore confident that she is still alive, and that she is being cared for."

Police are this morning visiting sports grounds in the greater Wellington region to locate people who were playing sport in the area of the abduction last Saturday.

At least 100 recruits are knocking on doors, handing out leaflets, and speaking to people who pass through the area of the kidnapping.

A police caravan has been parked in the street baby Kahu was taken from, and a replica of the car used by the kidnapper is also in the street.

It will be taken to Wainuiomata later today, where a reported sighting of the car has been made.

Police say the sighting included the fact that there was one man in the car, and it was heading up the Wainuiomata Hill Road.

Since posting a $10,000 reward yesterday for information leading to the location of the car used by the kidnapper, police have received more than 150 calls to their hotline.

A team is processing them this morning.

In a fresh plea from the wider family of baby Kahu, National MP and godmother of the lost child, Georgina te Heuheu this morning spoke to a media conference.

"I'm asking that the person or persons out there who have her, or know where she is, that they bring her home to us. Or they at least make contact so that arrangements can be made to bring her home to Donna and Eddie, and to all of us.

"It's a week too long, and I'm asking that the baby be returned."

Ms te Heuheu said she had been at the home of Donna Hall and Justice Durie, and the family were staying as clear-headed as they could.

She said Kahu's godparents were chosen so that her links to other tribes and families were strengthened, and she was part of that link.

She did not know why Kahu was taken.

"I have no idea why anybody would do this to Kahu. I have no idea why they would put this family through such torture."

"Not knowing is a devastating position to be in. There is a feeling of absolute powerlessness."

But she said the family was staying strong.

Detective Inspector Wildon said police feel for the family given that one week has gone by, but they are still confident that baby Kahu is alive.

Flier distributed by police

Description of suspect

Picture: Kahurautete Durie

Picture: Kahurautete's clothing

Picture: the car being sought by police

Map

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