Evidence in missing girl case may have been lost

Forensic experts investigating the possible sexual assault of a young Auckland girl at a public toilet may have missed out on crucial evidence after a cleaner mopped up blood at the scene.

The girl, believed to be aged about 9, was still missing today as neighbours reported concerns about a man seen regularly lurking around the toilets at the centre of the police investigation.

The identity of the girl is also still a mystery to police after she was seen fleeing the women's toilet in the West Auckland park about 10am on Friday.

She was crying, wearing only a blue polo shirt and had blood on her upper legs.

A man left the toilets shortly afterwards, walking to a nearby carpark and driving away in a late-model dark blue or black car.

A Waitakere City Council cleaner discovered the pair when she turned up to clean the toilets at Neville Power Memorial Park. She heard a noise inside, called out "maintenance" to whoever was in there – and watched the girl run out.

The cleaner then called police to report the incident. At some stage – it is not known if it was before or after the call – the cleaner went into the toilet block and mopped up crucial evidence.

Police have still not identified the girl or the man and were last night appealing for help.

Officers were also aware it was potentially the second serious assault on a young girl in the vicinity in just over a month. An 11-year-old girl was found wandering naked and dazed last month, and was believed to have been assaulted near McLeods Park, about 1km from Friday's incident.

Detective Sergeant Murray Free said he was concerned no parent had reported their daughter missing, or that anyone had reported seeing her in the area. "It could be as innocent as a young girl having trouble with her period - or more seriously a sexual assault."

He would not make any comment on blood being mopped up but did say ESR workers were able to get some samples from the scene.

The Herald on Sunday has learned police are concerned cleaning could have lowered the value of forensic evidence and might frustrate any prosecution that could take place. Officers have also expressed disbelief anyone would clean up a possible crime scene.

All six local schools reported having no female students missing. Police yesterday also began exploring the possibility the man could have brought the girl in from outside the area. Children at nearby Rangeview Intermediate reported seeing a girl running through the school grounds about 10.30am.

While Mr Free said it was unlikely to be the same girl, some of the children were yesterday still upset they had not tried to help the girl they saw at the time. "I wish it was Friday again so I could go to help her," said Adrienne Wahanui, 12.

Her friend Ashleigh Beeby, also 12, said: "I wish I could turn back time. I could hardly get to sleep last night thinking about it - and I really don't want to."

The pair spoke of seeing a young girl standing at the edge of the school field, obviously distressed. Both were adamant the girl was wearing a blue top similar to police descriptions, although they say she was also wearing green leggings.

Mr Free said it appeared this girl was older, bigger and had different hair from the one the cleaner saw.

Ashleigh's mother, Valerie Beeby, spoke of her concerns over a man who lurked about the park.

She said a similar car to that driven by the man was seen parked near the toilets early Friday morning. It was gone by 7.30am.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY