Hideaway father's backers seek probe

Supporters of an Auckland father in hiding with his 5-month-old daughter want an investigation into the Family Court handling of the custody case that sparked his actions.

Stephen Jelicich, 39, has been on the run with baby Caitlin for almost a week.

Caitlin was to have left with her mother, Diane Jelicich, for Wales on Monday.

Mrs Jelicich left on a flight without the baby but planned to return, police said.

She contacted authorities in Wales, and Interpol was used to contact New Zealand police, who already knew Mr Jelicich had not returned Caitlin.

Mrs Jelicich left the country while facing a charge of assaulting her husband.

She had been remanded to appear in court on Thursday, but the charge was withdrawn on that day.

Jim Bagnall, national president of the parental support group Union of Fathers, said important evidence was not considered before the Family Court gave custody of Caitlin to Mrs Jelicich and ruled that the case should be heard in Britain.

Mr Bagnall, who supported Mr Jelicich during the Family Court process, believes the hearings were rushed because it was Christmas.

"I think people were loath to get themselves embroiled in something ... and they rushed it through.

"Why should Caitlin not receive better treatment? Why did they bulldoze the whole thing through?"

He said the judge who remanded Mrs Jelicich on the assault charge was the same judge who had awarded her custody of Caitlin the previous day.

Mr Bagnall has written to Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier about his concerns.

The Jelicich family yesterday questioned the legality of the custody order after speaking to their son's lawyer.

Stephen Jelicich's father, Paul, said he wanted a review of the entire case.

Caitlin had since obtained New Zealand citizenship and that might affect the case.

Paul Jelicich said the baby's passport arrived in the post yesterday.

Caitlin arrived in New Zealand on a British passport with her parents and 11-year-old half-sister at the end of October and stayed in Kumeu, West Auckland.

During the holiday, the couple's relationship soured and Mrs Jelicich told her husband she was taking Caitlin back to Wales without him, the Jelicich family say.

Police were called to the family's West Auckland property after an argument in which Stephen Jelicich suffered a burst eardrum.

Paul Jelicich was last night expecting to hear from his son through a "middle man".

The family say they do not know where Stephen Jelicich is hiding but he makes contact every two days and was in good spirits the last time he rang.

They said he adored Caitlin and her welfare would be his greatest concern.

Paul Jelicich said his son expected the authorities to catch up with him eventually. Strangers had phoned offering to hide the pair.

People were sending food and phoning with messages of support.

A spokesman said police had received calls from the public, but none had taken staff any closer to finding Mr Jelicich and Caitlin.