KEY POINTS:
Police fear for the safety of a mentally ill Christchurch woman who has disappeared with her eight-year-old daughter.
Detective Sergeant Will McIvor, of Horby police, said Jonelle Karka Churchman was last seen leaving Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch about 4pm yesterday.
Her daughter, Olivia Churchman, went missing from a Hornby house some hours later and police believe she is now with her mother.
"Jonelle is mentally unwell and family and police fear for the safety of both Jonelle and Olivia," Mr McIvor said.
It was thought the pair might be heading to Dunedin, where other family members lived.
Ms Churchman drove a silver 1995 Toyota Carib, with the registration number BSS595.
Mr McIvor said Ms Churchman was aged 35, of solid build and about 157cm tall with shoulder-length brown hair usually worn tied back. Olivia was about 140cm tall, of solid build with mousey shoulder-length hair and blue eyes.
Police are asking anyone who sights the pair to call their nearest police station.
- NZPA
